Course Outline
Transitioning from Manual Reports to Automated Processes
- Mapping the existing manual report workflow
- Selecting automation candidates based on frequency, effort, and risk
Establishing the Automation Workspace
- Setting up Python, code editors, and virtual environments
- Installing pandas, openpyxl, and Selenium
Python Fundamentals and Reusable Scripts
- Understanding variables, conditions, loops, and lists
- Creating small functions and sequential script steps
- Interpreting and acting on error messages
Managing Files, Paths, and Data Formats
- Reading and writing CSV and Excel files
- Standardizing naming conventions, archiving, and date stamping outputs
Data Preparation Using pandas
- Loading data sources into dataframes
- Filtering, joining, and aggregating data
- Cleaning dates, amounts, and removing duplicates
Generating Reports with openpyxl
- Writing results into Excel workbooks
- Applying formatting, formulas, and charts
- Driving output from an Excel template
Validating and Reconciling Results
- Performing control totals and row count checks
- Identifying duplicates and outliers
- Implementing quality gates before release
Using Claude for Script Creation and Reusable Skills
- Crafting prompts for automation code
- Reviewing and refining generated code
- Packaging reusable skills for team use
Web Automation with Selenium and Chrome
- Locating elements, managing waits, and navigating pages
- Safely signing in to internal portals
- Handling pagination, downloads, and file management
Leveraging Power BI and Excel Internal Sources
- Accessing published reports and exports
- Managing shared folders and resolving file lock conflicts
- Adapting to changes in layouts and columns
Distributing Reports via Email and WhatsApp
- Sending emails using Gmail with app passwords
- Managing attachments, summaries, and recipient lists
- Using business messaging templates and opt-in protocols
Orchestration with PowerShell
- Executing scripts and capturing output
- Managing parameters, logging, and exit codes
- Chaining steps into a unified pipeline
Scheduling Unattended Runs with Task Scheduler
- Creating and configuring scheduled tasks
- Managing service accounts and run-as permissions
- Monitoring executions and configuring retry behavior
Troubleshooting, Logging, and Security
- Implementing structured logs and error capture
- Storing credentials securely and applying least privilege principles
- Handling personal and regulated data responsibly
Documentation, Handover, and the Automation Capstone
- Creating process documentation and runbooks
- Capstone: Building a departmental report
- Executing the first scheduled run and conducting a review
Requirements
- No prior programming experience is necessary.
- Comfort with using Windows, Microsoft Excel, and a web browser.
- Practical knowledge of the specific report or process intended for automation.
Target Audience
- Staff in business, operations, finance, and administration who handle recurring reports.
- Team leads and supervisors looking to transfer these skills to their teams.
- Analysts transitioning from manual reporting to automated data pipelines.
Testimonials (3)
I understand the basic flow of building a bot from start to finish
Dita Aura Febrian - PT Glostar Indonesia
Course - Integrated RPA for SAP Automation
the template provided. they will come in handy on my day to day duties
Lineo Nchaba - Revenue Services Lesotho
Course - UiPath for Business Analysts
He is very competent, organized, and he loves his job.
