Course Outline
DAY 1
Module 1 — Claude Fundamentals, Prompting, and Personalisation
Explore Claude’s capabilities beyond the simple chat interface. Identify its unique strengths, determine the optimal scenarios for selecting it over other AI solutions, and learn to tailor the tool to align with the user’s specific profile.
Topics
• Claude’s market positioning and its differentiators compared to other AI tools in 2026
• Model families: Fable, Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, along with their specific use cases
• The probabilistic nature of AI, understanding hallucinations, and strategies for risk mitigation
• Distinguishing features between subscription plans and the benefits of a paid account
• Effective prompting strategies: the primacy of context over syntax; foundational structures; and the appropriate timing for initiating new chats
• Custom Instructions tailored to user profiles: defining roles, priorities, and communication tones
Exercises
• Exercise 1 — Construct a comprehensive prompt to address a customer complaint
• Exercise 2 — Set up Custom Instructions aligned with your user profile
Module 2 — Projects, Artifacts, and Skills
Leverage Projects to establish persistent workspaces with dedicated knowledge bases, including manuals, technical sheets, and standards. Utilize Artifacts as a production environment within the chat interface. Develop reusable working procedures through Skills.
Topics:
• Projects: Persistent workspaces featuring dedicated history and custom knowledge bases
• Project Instructions versus Profile Preferences — understanding their complementary functions
• Collaborative Project sharing: utilizing Team and Enterprise plans
• File management: Uploading PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, and images
• Artifacts: Creating documents, dashboards, and interactive prototypes directly within the chat
• Web Search: Accessing real-time data with verifiable citations
• Skills: Defining and implementing repeatable workflows
Exercises:
• Exercise 3 — Construct a functional Project tailored to your specific context
• Exercise 4 — Generate a functional Artifact relevant to your work environment
• Exercise 5 — Create a functional Skill suited to your operational needs
DAY 2
Module 3 — Cowork, Agents, and Microsoft 365 Integration
Shift your perspective from viewing AI as a conversational tool to leveraging it as a collaborative work partner capable of executing background tasks on real-time, daily operational data.
Topics:
• Claude Desktop: Installation, system requirements, authentication, initial setup, and key distinctions from browser-based usage
• Claude in Chrome: Installing the official extension, managing permissions, practical applications, limitations, and security best practices
• Claude Mobile: Utilizing mobile contexts, cross-device synchronization, and best practices for mobile work
• Cowork: Overview of its function, capabilities, and optimal use cases
• Microsoft 365 Connector: Establishing links with Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams
• Multi-step workflows: Searching, reading, summarizing, drafting, and sending
• Scheduled automation: Implementing Scheduled Prompts
• MCP: The Model Context Protocol and its Connector ecosystem
• Current limitations of Cowork and strategies to mitigate them
Exercises:
• Exercise 6 — Establish a Cowork project and structure its folder hierarchy
• Exercise 7 — Configure a comprehensive Cowork project incorporating Skills, instructions, and folders; test the setup with a complex task.
Module 4 — Claude in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Integrate Claude with Microsoft 365 applications, including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Utilize your existing files to accelerate analysis, content creation, review processes, and the preparation of professional work materials.
Topics:
• Excel: Data analysis, formula generation, data cleaning, metric interpretation, and executive summary preparation
• Word: Content review, rewriting, structural organization, drafting proposals, reports, minutes, and professional communications
• PowerPoint: Converting content into narrative presentations, script creation, enhancing key messages, and tailoring content for specific audiences
Exercises:
• Exercise 8 — Employ Claude to analyze an Excel spreadsheet and generate an executive summary including conclusions and recommendations
• Exercise 9 — Convert a Word document or a set of notes into a structured PowerPoint presentation
Requirements
To fully engage with the practical modules, please ensure the following are prepared prior to the session:
- Active Claude Account (Paid): A Pro, Team, or Enterprise subscription is mandatory to access Projects, Artifacts, and the advanced models utilized in Module 2.
- Microsoft 365 Access: A functional account with permissions for OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is required to complete the integration tasks in Modules 3 and 4.
- Laptop with Installation Permissions: A device where you have authorization to install Claude Desktop and the Chrome extension (essential for Module 3).
- Personal Business Files (Strongly Advised): Bring 2–3 authentic documents (such as a PDF manual, an Excel spreadsheet, or a Word report) for use during practical exercises. Please ensure these files do not contain strictly sensitive or confidential data.
Testimonials (2)
Learning how to prompt Claude and use it to digest all of the data I have available.
Mike Hartleroad - Furniture Row
Course - Claude AI for Data Analysis and Business Intelligence
how to engage with the Office environment and set up repetitive tasks
