Uploading and Describing Your Data
The first step in AI-powered data analysis is getting your data into the AI and helping it understand what it's looking at. A good data description is the foundation of useful analysis.
Uploading Files
In ChatGPT
- Click the paperclip icon in the chat
- Select your CSV or Excel file
- Wait for the upload to complete
- Start asking questions
In Claude
- Click the paperclip or drag-and-drop your file
- Claude accepts CSV files and text-based data
- For Excel files, save as CSV first or copy-paste the relevant data
Alternative: Copy and Paste
For smaller datasets (under 100 rows), you can simply copy cells from your spreadsheet and paste them directly into the chat.
Describing Your Data
Even after uploading, AI benefits from context about your data. Always provide:
1. What the Data Represents
"This is our Q4 2024 sales data for the Northeast region."
2. Column Definitions
"Column A is customer ID, Column B is purchase date, Column C is product category, Column D is sale amount in USD."
3. Time Period
"Data covers January 1 to December 31, 2024."
4. Any Known Issues
"Some dates may be in different formats. The 'Region' column has some blank values."
The Perfect Upload Prompt
Use this template when uploading data:
Example: Sales Data Upload
Here's a real-world example:
Key Takeaway
The 30 seconds you spend describing your data will save you multiple back-and-forth clarifications. AI can't see your spreadsheet layout—it needs you to paint the picture.