Course Outline
Transitioning from Manual Reports to Automated Workflows
- Analysing the existing manual reporting workflow
- Choosing automation targets based on frequency, effort and risk
Preparing the Automation Environment
- Python installation, code editor setup and virtual environments
- Installing pandas, openpyxl and Selenium libraries
Python Fundamentals and Modular Scripting
- Core concepts: variables, conditionals, loops and lists
- Defining small functions and sequential script logic
- Interpreting and responding to error messages
File Management and Data Formats
- Handling CSV and Excel file input/output
- Standardising naming conventions, archiving and date stamping outputs
Data Manipulation with pandas
- Ingesting data sources into dataframes
- Filtering, merging and aggregating datasets
- Sanitising dates, monetary values and duplicate records
Generating Reports with openpyxl
- Populating Excel workbooks with results
- Applying formatting, formulas and chart generation
- Utilising Excel templates to drive output structure
Validating and Reconciling Outcomes
- Implementing control totals and row count verifications
- Identifying duplicates and statistical outliers
- Establishing quality checkpoints before final release
Utilising Claude for Scripting and Reusable Capabilities
- Crafting prompts to generate automation code
- Auditing and refining AI-generated code
- Encapsulating reusable skills for team adoption
Web Automation via Selenium and Chrome
- Element location, wait conditions and page navigation
- Secure authentication to internal portals
- Managing pagination, file downloads and data handling
Leveraging Power BI and Internal Excel Sources
- Accessing published reports and data exports
- Navigating shared folders and resolving file lock issues
- Adapting to changes in layout and column structures
Distributing Reports via Email and WhatsApp
- Sending Gmail emails using application passwords
- Managing attachments, summaries and recipient distributions
- Configuring business messaging templates and opt-in preferences
Orchestrating with PowerShell
- Executing scripts and capturing system output
- Managing parameters, logging and exit status codes
- Chaining multiple steps into a unified pipeline
Unattended Scheduling via Task Scheduler
- Setting up and configuring scheduled jobs
- Managing service accounts and execution permissions
- Monitoring job runs and configuring retry logic
Debugging, Logging and Security
- Implementing structured logging and error trapping
- Secure credential storage and principle of least privilege
- Handling personal and regulated data securely
Documentation, Handover and the Automation Capstone
- Creating process documentation and operational runbooks
- Capstone: Constructing a complete departmental report
- Executing the first scheduled run and conducting a review
Requirements
- No previous programming experience is necessary.
- Proficiency in navigating Windows, Microsoft Excel and web browsers.
- Practical understanding of the specific report or process intended for automation.
Intended Audience
- Business, operations, finance and administrative teams responsible for recurring reporting tasks.
- Team leads and supervisors looking to disseminate these skills to their staff.
- 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.
