Impact measurement and evaluation
Get a spreadsheet formula explained for tracking outcomes
Helps you build and understand formulas and pivot tables (tools that summarize rows of data) without being a spreadsheet expert.
Lower risk: public info only — Describe your columns instead of pasting your data.
Please note: This site is only a guide to help people understand. Consult your IT, security and/or privacy department for clarification.
Before you start, gather
Copy [COLUMN NAMES] exactly as they appear in your header row. Name your tool and version in [SPREADSHEET TOOL]. Write [WHAT YOU WANT TO CALCULATE] as one sentence. Use no real participant rows.
Starter prompt
I use [SPREADSHEET TOOL]. My sheet has these columns: [COLUMN NAMES]. I want to calculate [WHAT YOU WANT TO CALCULATE]. Give me the formula, explain each part in plain English, and show an example with made-up numbers. Only use functions that exist in my tool, do not invent column names, and write MISSING INFO instead of guessing about my setup.
Paste the prompt into your AI tool first, then replace the placeholders with your own details. Don't use real names of clients or donors.
Open an AI tool
You are leaving this guide. Copy the prompt first, then open a tool. The link goes to the website of the company named on each link, in a new tab. That company's terms and privacy policy apply there. Paste the prompt in, then replace the placeholders with your own details. Don't enter real names or confidential details.
- Open Claude (Anthropic) (opens Anthropic's website in a new tab)
Anthropic documents pre-filled links only for the Claude Desktop app, not for the website, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Open ChatGPT (OpenAI) (opens OpenAI's website in a new tab)
OpenAI does not document a link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Open Gemini (Google) (opens Google's website in a new tab)
Google does not document a link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Open Grok (SpaceXAI) (opens SpaceXAI's website in a new tab)
SpaceXAI (the company behind Grok) does not document a link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Open Amazon Bedrock (hosts Llama; needs an AWS account) (opens Amazon Web Services' website in a new tab)
Llama has no chat website of its own, and Meta's own assistant (Meta AI) now runs on a different Meta model. One host is Amazon Bedrock: sign in to AWS, open a playground, and paste the prompt.
- Open Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft) (opens Microsoft's website in a new tab)
Microsoft documents no link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in. The Copilot page shows a Sign in button, and you may need to sign in.
- Open Perplexity (Perplexity AI) (opens Perplexity AI's website in a new tab)
Perplexity documents no link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Open Mistral Le Chat (Mistral AI) (opens Mistral AI's website in a new tab)
Mistral renamed Le Chat to Vibe, at the same web address. Mistral documents no link that pre-fills a prompt, so copy the prompt and paste it in.
- Givebutter (Givebutter): no website to open from here. Givebutter Magic works inside a Givebutter account; there is no public chat page.
- Grantable (Grantable): no website to open from here. Grantable's AI works inside a Grantable account; there is no public chat page.
Check the result
Test the formula on a few rows you can verify by hand before using it for reports.
What it might get wrong
A formula that uses a function your spreadsheet version lacks. Wrong cell references or ranges. A count that quietly includes blanks and duplicates when you wanted unique participants.