Ray Evans Overview:
Option 1 - AI Functions Masterclass Focus: This 90-minute masterclass gives professionals across all sectors a practical, hands-on introduction to the new generation of AI-powered Excel functions - and shows you how to achieve the same results using Claude and Excel directly when add-in tools are unavailable, outdated or cost-prohibitive.
You work through eight core AI functions - AI_ASK, AI_TABLE, AI_TRANSLATE, AI_FORMAT, AI_EXTRACT, AI_FILL, AI_LIST and AI_CHOICE - understanding what each one does, how to prompt it effectively and how to replicate its output using Claude when needed.
Ray demonstrates each function live, showing how to embed intelligent Q&A into spreadsheets, generate structured tables, translate content, standardise messy data, extract key information, fill gaps, build lists and match choices - all without leaving your spreadsheet environment.
Because some AI Excel add-ins are in active development or limited release, the session also shows you how to achieve every one of these outcomes using direct Claude prompts and Excel, giving you a flexible, cost-effective approach that works regardless of which tools you have access to.
You leave with a practical understanding of both the add-in functions and the Claude-based alternatives, ready to apply them in your own work immediately.
Key Benefits:
Option 2 - Practical AI Functions and Claude Skills Focus: This session is designed for professionals who want to move beyond basic spreadsheet use and harness the power of AI functions to work faster, produce cleaner data and generate more useful outputs directly in Excel.
You work through AI_ASK, AI_TABLE, AI_TRANSLATE, AI_FORMAT, AI_EXTRACT, AI_FILL, AI_LIST and AI_CHOICE with live demonstrations showing what each function does, how to use it effectively and what kinds of outputs it produces.
Because AI Excel add-ins vary in availability and cost, Ray also shows you how to achieve every outcome using Claude prompts and Excel directly - giving you a practical, flexible alternative that does not depend on any specific add-in being installed or active.
This dual approach means you leave with skills that work in any environment, whether or not your organisation has adopted an AI Excel add-in.
Key Benefits:
Option 3 - Applied AI Excel Skills and Flexible Workflow Focus: This masterclass gives professionals a practical, future-proof introduction to AI-powered Excel functions and the Claude-based approaches that achieve the same outcomes without depending on any specific add-in.
You explore what each of the eight AI functions does in a real spreadsheet context - from embedding intelligent answers and generating structured tables through to translating content, standardising data, extracting fields, filling gaps, building lists and matching choices.
Ray demonstrates every function live and then shows you the equivalent Claude prompt approach, so you understand both methods and can choose the one that suits your tools, budget and workflow.
Because some AI Excel tools are in active development or limited release, this dual-method approach ensures you always have a practical, workable option regardless of what your organisation has installed.
You leave with a complete, flexible skill set covering both AI add-in functions and direct Claude alternatives, ready to apply immediately in your own spreadsheet work.
Key Benefits:
Why you should Attend:
Areas Covered in the Session:
NOTE: Topic sequence may be subject to slight variation
Who Will Benefit:
Ray Evans blends a professional, easy-going style with a strong grasp of adult learning-demonstrated across classroom, seminar, workshop, and live-online delivery, supported by practical, high-retention instructional materials.
Backed by Microsoft certifications, Ray teaches more than 2,500 topics spanning Microsoft Excel, Access, Outlook, Project, PowerPoint, Word, Visio, and Publisher-and is one of very few presenters delivering expert-level webinars across all six leading AI cognitive engines: Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Grok, Gemini and DeepSeek.
He holds qualifications in Frontline Management, Accounting, Training and Assessment and is certified in Six Sigma business-improvement methodology.
Since 1990, Ray has trained over 40,000 students, business owners, and executives, and authored extensive training documentation, complex reports, and engaging web content-consistently demonstrating exceptional communication and knowledge transfer.
Ray's webinars replicate the in-person classroom experience and include:
A comprehensive step-by-step Learning Guide
Demonstrations and practical exercises
Exercise files; and
Productivity techniques, tips and shortcuts