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AI Data Quickstart Lesson 1 · Free

Your First AI Data Analysis in 5 Minutes

By the end, you can upload a spreadsheet to an AI assistant, ask it a question, and get a chart back.

Lesson 1 of 7Practice: about 15 minVideo: 4 minutes

Follow along

  1. Download the practice file. It's a CSV: a spreadsheet saved as plain text. Almost any spreadsheet app can open it.
  2. Take a 30-second look in Google Sheets or Excel. Each row is one order. Columns include the date, product, quantity, price, order total, and sales channel.
  3. Open your AI assistant and start a new chat.
  4. Upload the file using the paperclip or + button.
  5. Paste this prompt:
    I run a small online candle shop. This file is my 2025 order history.
Which products made the most money? Show me a bar chart of total revenue by product, highest to lowest.
  6. Wait for the analysis. You may see "Analyzing…". The AI is writing and running code on your file behind the scenes, which is normal.
  7. Read the chart. Which bar is tallest? What's the gap between #1 and #2?
  8. Ask one follow-up:
    Now show me revenue by month as a line chart. Which month was best and which was worst?
  9. Download the chart. Click it, find the download option, and save it as my-first-ai-chart.png.

What you should see

  • A bar chart with 10 bars, with Lavender Dream the tallest
  • A line chart that peaks in December and dips in February

If it goes wrong

Problem Fix
"I can't open files" Your plan or mode may not support files. Try another assistant.
You get text but no chart Reply: "Please make the chart as an image."
Your numbers differ slightly from the video The AI may round or count differently. Lesson 6 shows how to check, and small differences are OK.
It ranks by number of orders, not money Reply: "Rank by revenue (order_total), not number of orders."

Plain English, and what the pros call it

We say Pros say
Spreadsheet saved as text CSV (comma-separated values)
Column Field / variable
Row Record / observation
The AI's "behind the scenes" work Python code

Recap

  • Upload a file, ask a clear question, and get a chart, all in minutes.
  • Say exactly what you mean by "best" (money? units?).
  • Every chart answers one question. Ask follow-ups to dig deeper.

Quick quiz

Check that it stuck

Get 3 of 4 right to pass.

Mini project · 10–15 min

Your First AI Chart

Make one chart with AI and say what it means.

Steps

  1. Use the practice file (or your own data if you're ready).
  2. Ask a question a chart can answer, and say what you mean by "best" or "most."
  3. Download the chart.
  4. Write one sentence about what it shows, including a number or comparison.

What to save

The chart image, the exact prompt(s), and your one-sentence takeaway.

Check your own work

Give yourself the points for each line you can honestly tick. 6 of 10 or more is a pass.

  • A readable chart made from the data that answers the question you asked. (4 points)
  • Prompt says what the data is and asks a specific question with a clear measure (e.g., revenue, units). (3 points)
  • One-sentence takeaway that matches the chart and includes a number or comparison. (3 points)

Ready for Lesson 2?

Next up: Bring Your Own Spreadsheet (Safely). The member area opens soon.