AI shortcuts for work

How to use an AI shortcut

1. Copy a prompt below.
2. Paste it into ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot or Claude. The free versions work.
3. Replace every [BRACKET] with your own details. Use placeholders instead of real client names, numbers or anything confidential.
4. Read the answer and fix anything wrong before you send or use it.

5 free AI prompts for work

These five come from our free 10 AI Prompts for Work PDF. They cover emails, follow-ups, meeting notes and spreadsheets. We don't promise a set amount of time saved: it depends on your task and the AI tool you use.

Write a clear email from bullet points

You know what you want to say but the email won't come out right.

Turn these notes into a clear, friendly work email to [RECIPIENT / ROLE]. Keep it under 150 words, put the main ask in the first two lines, and end with one specific next step.
Notes: [PASTE BULLETS]

Polite follow-up (no reply yet)

Someone hasn't replied and you don't want to sound annoyed.

Write a short, polite follow-up to [NAME] about [TOPIC]. I first emailed on [DATE]. Don't sound annoyed. Offer one easy way to answer (e.g. a yes/no or a 10-minute call).

Notes to summary

You have messy meeting notes or a transcript and need decisions and next steps.

Turn these raw meeting notes into: (1) a 3-sentence summary, (2) decisions made, (3) action items as a table with owner and due date, (4) open questions.
[PASTE NOTES OR TRANSCRIPT]

Write the formula for me

You know what you want from a spreadsheet but not the formula.

I use [EXCEL / GOOGLE SHEETS]. My data: column A = [WHAT], B = [WHAT], C = [WHAT], rows 2 to [N]. Write a formula for [GOAL] and explain it in plain English.

Ask me questions first

Add it to any prompt when the first answer comes back too generic.

Before you answer, ask me up to 5 questions about anything you need to know to do this well. Ask them all at once, then wait.

Spreadsheet shortcuts we checked

24 of our 25 spreadsheet formula recipes have been checked on fictional sample data so far. See 12 of them with plain-English explanations.

Use AI at work safely

• Follow your employer's AI policy, and only use the tools your company allows.
• Don't paste confidential, customer or personal data into an AI tool your company hasn't approved.
• Check names, numbers, dates and links in every answer. AI can sound sure and still be wrong.

More habits like these: AI hacks for work.

Get more shortcuts

Get all 10 free prompts (PDF) →

New AI tools explained in under a minute: Zapwise on YouTube and on X.

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