From data to useful files

By the end, you will generate a spreadsheet with formulas, open it and test a changed input. Example outputs illustrate the task; they are not evidence that a file already exists.

A chat table, calculation code and an XLSX file are different deliverables. For Excel editing, request XLSX and formulas. For stable reading, PDF may fit. For editable slides, request PPTX. Choose for use, not appearance in chat.

The file-creation guide checked on September 30, 2026 describes code execution and file creation on all plans across Web, Desktop and Mobile, subject to account and organization settings. Check Settings > Capabilities or ask your administrator if blocked.

Creation happens in an isolated working environment, not necessarily a folder on your computer. Download is separate. This exercise needs no email, calendar or external website access. Network access for file creation and MCP permissions are separate paths; enabling all domains is not a default fix for formatting.

Create course-budget.xlsx for a fictional exercise.
Sheet: Budget. Columns: Item, Quantity, Unit cost, Total.
Data:
Booklets: quantity 48, unit cost 12.
Pens: quantity 48, unit cost 3.
Room rental: quantity 2, unit cost 250.
Each row total must be a quantity-times-unit-cost formula.
The grand total must use SUM, not a manually entered number.
Currency: Israeli shekels. No tax, discount or other amount is in the source.
Add “Fictional practice budget, not approved for spending”.
Use readable formatting, no macros and no external links.
Return a downloadable file and a short structure/formula summary.

Expect a download link or file card plus summary. A chat table alone does not fulfill the request. If only code appears, ask for the actual file when the capability is available.

Download and open in a spreadsheet application. Expected arithmetic:

Booklets: 48 × 12 = 576
Pens: 48 × 3 = 144
Room: 2 × 250 = 500
Grand total: 1220 shekels

Inspect a row-total cell for a formula such as =B2*C2 when quantity and unit cost occupy B and C. The total row should SUM the appropriate range. Locations may vary; inspect references rather than formula shape alone.

Change booklet cost from 12 to 13. Booklets should become 624 and the grand total 1268. If not, look for fixed values, disabled calculation or wrong formulas. Opening successfully is not enough.

Check headings, column widths, currency and totals. Look for ####, clipped text or apparently empty cells caused by text color. Inspect print preview if a PDF is needed.

The Unit cost heading is clipped in the file you created.
Widen that column without changing data or formulas.
Keep the fictional-budget note and return course-budget-v2.xlsx.
List exactly what changed.

Open the new version and retest totals. A formatting change can break formula ranges if rows move. Claude's change summary helps your check but does not prove there were no other changes.

After verifying the spreadsheet:

Using the verified spreadsheet version, create a one-page PDF.
Include the item table, total and the fictional/not-approved note.
Do not add tax, supplier, date or a purchasing promise.
Identify the spreadsheet used as source.

First decide explicitly whether the PDF uses the original price 12 or test price 13. An experimental edit is not an approved budget change. Open the PDF and compare numbers, line breaks and note placement. PDF is a reading deliverable, not a replacement for formulas.

Easy: a file, not just a table

Generate and open XLSX. Success: three item rows, total 1220 and the practice note.

Intermediate: recalculation

Set booklet cost to 13. Success: 624 and 1268 appear without typing totals manually.

Challenging: consistent versions

Create PDF from an explicitly selected spreadsheet version. Success: both use the same data and the test edit is not called approved spending.

No downloadable file: specify an actual file and format, then check capability availability. Do not run unfamiliar code merely to finish.

Formulas fail: inspect references, text-typed cells and calculation settings. Request repair and download a new version.

Large upload rejected: Chat upload and file-creation sources describe different limits. The creation guide states 30MB; check the route and interface error rather than applying one limit everywhere.

Saving to Drive: check account, folder and audience first. Downloading does not authorize automatic sharing.

Old file replaced: use versioned names and retain the source until the replacement is tested.

Ready means the file opens, calculates and reads correctly, not that a message says “done”.