Claude can do much more than answer questions or draft text. It can serve as a practical analyst and content builder, helping turn dense documents, messy data, and unstructured source material into organized, usable work products. In this applied session, participants will learn how to use Claude more strategically for spreadsheet work, document analysis, and multi-part deliverables that support real-world decision-making.

The session focuses on moving from raw inputs such as tables, PDFs, policies, reports, meeting notes, and data exports to structured outputs that are easier to use and share. Through demonstrations and guided practice, participants will explore how Claude can help clean and organize datasets, generate summary tables, support spreadsheet calculations and visualizations, and synthesize complex documents into executive-ready summaries.

Participants will also learn how to design reusable prompt frameworks that improve consistency, reduce revision cycles, and support polished deliverables across different formats and audiences. The session will highlight ways to refine spreadsheet and document outputs by specifying assumptions, structure, and quality expectations, while applying validation and review practices to ensure results are accurate, traceable, and appropriate for distribution.

By the end of the session, participants will have practical strategies for using Claude as an analytical and production support tool for spreadsheet-heavy and document-intensive workflows, with greater confidence in the quality and reliability of the outputs it helps produce.

University of Maine System employees - please submit this form before registering to pay for this course via Interdepartmental Transfer using ChartFields.