NTD
Nontech Dave · Free Digital Handbook

AI Made Simple
For Life & Work

Everyday ways to work smarter, handle paperwork, simplify spreadsheets and make AI genuinely useful.

44 READY-TO-COPY AI PROMPTS · NO TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED
An interactive handbook for your phone or computer · No sign-up needed
Welcome! This handbook is designed to be used while you work. Find something you want to do, press Copy prompt, open your AI chat and paste. Replace any words in [square brackets] with your own information. If your task involves a file, attach it in the AI app before sending the prompt.
Important: Not every AI service accepts multiple files, creates downloadable reports or has the same free limits. Check the tool's features before starting. Never upload confidential business documents, personal customer data, passwords, banking details or sensitive records without proper authorization and a suitable privacy arrangement. Always review calculations, citations and important decisions yourself.
Chapter 01

Start Here

Your first five minutes with AI — You do not need to be technical. Start with one AI tool, ask an ordinary question, and improve the answer by talking to it again.

Your first conversation

I am new to AI. Ask me one question about something I need help with today. Then show me, step by step, how you could help. Please use everyday language.
Tip: Try this before anything else. You can answer the question by typing or speaking.

A better answer

I need help with [describe the task]. Here is the background: [add context]. Please give me a practical result in plain English, and ask me only one question if something important is missing.
Tip: Replace the words in square brackets with your own details.

Get a second draft

That is helpful. Now make it clearer and shorter. Keep the important information, remove jargon, and show me what changed.
Tip: The first answer does not have to be the final answer.
Chapter 02

Everyday Life

Ten small jobs with a big difference — Pick just one example today. The purpose is to get a useful result, not learn lots of technology.

Write a tricky WhatsApp message

Help me write a friendly but clear WhatsApp message to [person] about [situation]. I want to say [main point]. Keep it natural, respectful and under 100 words.
Tip: You can ask for warmer, firmer or shorter after the first draft.

Understand a confusing letter

I will paste a letter below. Explain it in simple English, list any deadlines or actions it mentions, and point out anything you are unsure about. Do not add facts that are not in the letter. [Paste letter here]
Tip: Remove personal identifiers before pasting.

Plan dinner from what you have

I have these ingredients: [list]. Suggest three simple meals for [number] people, with short instructions and a shopping list for anything missing.
Tip: Include allergies or dietary requirements if relevant.

Turn a recipe photo into a list

I am uploading a photo of a handwritten recipe. Please transcribe the ingredients, flag words you cannot read, and make a shopping list grouped by aisle. Do not guess unclear quantities.
Tip: Upload the image alongside this prompt.

Organize a busy week

Here are my tasks and appointments: [list]. Please organize them into a realistic seven-day plan with priorities, breaks and a short checklist for each day.
Tip: Tell it your available hours.

Plan a thoughtful gift

Help me find a thoughtful gift for [person, age and interests]. Budget: [amount]. Give me five ideas, including two inexpensive personal gifts. Explain why each might suit them.
Tip: You do not need to buy anything AI suggests.

Learn a new skill

Teach me the basics of [skill] as if I have never done it. Give me a 15-minute starter lesson, one small practice task, and three questions to check my understanding.
Tip: Ask it to slow down whenever necessary.

Sort family photographs

Help me create a simple system for organizing years of family photos. Suggest folder names, a file-naming method, and five questions I can ask relatives to record memories.
Tip: AI can plan the process; it cannot access your photos unless you share them.

Explain a product comparison

Compare [product A] and [product B] for someone who needs [use]. Explain the trade-offs in plain English. Identify specifications or current prices that need independent checking.
Tip: For shopping prices, ask AI to use current sources if available.

Prepare for a phone call

I need to call [company/person] about [problem]. Help me make a short script, a list of questions, and a checklist of details to write down during the call.
Tip: Keep the checklist open beside you.
Chapter 03

Talk, Ask, Improve

The shortcuts that make every result better — Often the second request is where the real value begins.

Explain it simply

Explain that again in plain English as if I am a beginner. Use a real-life example.
Tip: One of the most useful follow-ups.

Find the missing question

What important question have I not asked yet? Tell me what information would make your answer more useful.
Tip: Useful before making a decision.

Change the format

Turn the answer into a two-column table: what I need to do, and why it matters. Finish with a three-item checklist.
Tip: Try tables, checklists and short summaries.

Voice notes into writing

I will dictate my rough thoughts. Please turn them into a tidy note in my natural voice. Keep my meaning, remove repeated phrases, and flag anything unclear. [Dictate or paste notes]
Tip: Use voice input if your chosen AI supports it.
Chapter 04

AI at Work

Practical shortcuts for busy people — These examples can reduce repetitive work, but always review output before relying on it. Use only files you are permitted to upload.

Clear an email thread

I have pasted an email conversation below. Summarize: (1) what has been agreed, (2) decisions still needed, (3) tasks with owners and dates mentioned, and (4) a polite draft reply. Do not invent deadlines. [Paste email thread]
Tip: Remove sensitive information or use an approved work account.

Draft several similar emails

Create three short email templates for [scenario]: a friendly first message, a follow-up after five days, and a polite final follow-up. Use a professional, human tone and include editable placeholders.
Tip: Save reusable templates once you like them.

Analyze an Excel spreadsheet

I have uploaded a spreadsheet. First tell me which worksheets and columns you can read. Then find duplicates, missing values, notable patterns and unusual figures. Present a summary table and explain your checks. Do not silently change data.
Tip: Check totals and sample rows against the original sheet.

Ask for an Excel formula

I use Excel. Column [letter] contains [description] and column [letter] contains [description]. I need to [goal]. Give me the simplest formula, explain where to paste it, and show a small worked example.
Tip: Tell it whether your Excel uses commas or semicolons if formulas fail.

Clean a customer list

I have uploaded a customer list that I am authorized to process. Propose rules to standardize names, dates and phone number formats. Flag possible duplicates but do not merge records automatically. Produce a review table.
Tip: Never upload private customer data into an unapproved service.

Compare quotations

I am uploading quotations for the same job. Make a side-by-side comparison of supplier, price, taxes, delivery, warranty, exclusions and payment terms. Cite the source file/page for each important detail. Flag items that cannot be compared fairly.
Tip: AI should not decide solely on price.

Process a batch of invoices

I am uploading multiple invoices that I am allowed to process. Extract invoice number, supplier, date, currency, subtotal, tax and total into a table. Include the source filename and mark unclear fields for manual review. Highlight possible duplicates. Do not guess missing numbers.
Tip: Have a person verify the extracted amounts.

Combine many documents into one report

I have uploaded several documents. Please first list every file received and confirm which you could read. Then prepare one structured report with: executive summary, key themes, areas of agreement, contradictions, open questions, and recommended next actions. Cite the document name and page or section for each substantial finding. Do not invent missing information or conceal uncertainty. Finish with a table mapping findings back to their source files.
Tip: Upload files using the paperclip or attachment control. File limits vary by tool and plan.

Meeting notes into action items

Here are the notes or transcript from our meeting: [paste]. Create a concise meeting summary with decisions, action items, owners, deadlines explicitly mentioned, and unresolved questions. Put unknown owners or dates as “Not specified.”
Tip: Do not invent meeting outcomes.

Turn notes into a presentation

Here are my rough notes: [paste]. Create an outline for a presentation to [audience]. Use 8 slides maximum. Give each slide one headline, three concise points and optional speaker notes. Flag facts that need verification.
Tip: Ask for a shorter five-slide version if needed.

Categorize feedback in bulk

I have uploaded customer comments or survey responses. Group them into useful themes, count how often each theme occurs, include representative anonymized examples, and identify the top three suggested improvements. Explain how you counted.
Tip: Counts and categories should be checked against the data.

Make a repeatable office process

Here is a task I repeat every week: [describe it]. Convert it into a clear standard operating procedure with steps, checks, common mistakes, and a simple checklist that a beginner could follow.
Tip: A written process is often the first step toward automation.
Chapter 05

The Multi-Document Workshop

How to turn a folder of files into one report — This is the standout skill: show the AI what you have, what you want, and what must be checked.

Step 1 — Inventory the files

I am uploading several files. Before analyzing them, list all filenames, document types, approximate date ranges, and any files you cannot read. Wait for my next instruction before writing the report.
Tip: Confirm none of the documents are missing.

Step 2 — Build the report

Using only the uploaded files, combine the information into one report for [audience] about [topic]. Use these headings: Purpose, Key findings, Evidence by topic, Contradictions, Missing information, Recommended actions. Cite each important finding by filename and page/section where possible.
Tip: Ask for an editable Word document or table if your AI supports file creation.

Step 3 — Quality check

Audit your report against the uploaded files. Identify any number, quotation, date or claim you could not verify. List potential omissions. Provide a source-check table with each important finding, the supporting file and page, and a confidence note.
Tip: Always manually spot-check important figures.
Chapter 06

Safety and Good Judgment

Use AI confidently without handing over your privacy — Useful does not mean infallible. Treat AI like a helpful assistant whose work still needs checking.

Check an important answer

Review your previous answer. Separate verified facts from assumptions, tell me what may be out of date, and suggest reliable ways to confirm the most important points.
Tip: Especially important for money, medicine and legal matters.

Remove sensitive details

I want to share the following text with an AI service. Tell me what personal, confidential or identifying details I should remove or replace with placeholders before sharing it. Do not repeat sensitive information unnecessarily. [Paste a small, non-sensitive sample]
Tip: Do not paste sensitive originals merely to ask whether they are sensitive.
Chapter 07

Seven-Day Challenge

A week of small wins — Try one task each day. There is no exam and no pressure to become an expert.

Day 1 — Ask a question

Explain [topic] in plain language and use one everyday example. Ask me whether I want to go deeper.
Tip: Learn how a conversation works.

Day 2 — Write a message

Draft a message to [person] about [topic], friendly and concise. Give me two versions to choose from.
Tip: Edit it so it sounds like you.

Day 3 — Work with a photo

I am uploading a photo. Describe what you can confidently see, then help me [task]. Clearly label anything uncertain.
Tip: Try a recipe, plant or household object—not sensitive documents.

Day 4 — Organize information

Turn this messy list into categories and a prioritized checklist: [paste].
Tip: Learn how AI can sort thoughts.

Day 5 — Try speaking

I am going to speak naturally about something I need done. Summarize my request and ask one clarifying question if needed.
Tip: Use the microphone if your AI supports it.

Day 6 — Solve a work problem

Help me save time on this recurring task: [describe]. Offer three small improvements I can try without buying new software.
Tip: Start with a process you already know.

Day 7 — Create your own shortcut

Based on this task I do often: [describe], write a reusable AI prompt with clear placeholders that I can save and use next week.
Tip: You now have your first personal shortcut.
Chapter 08

Quick Reference

Your keep-open cheat sheet — Come back to these prompts whenever you feel stuck.

The universal prompt

I need help with [task]. My situation is [background]. The result I want is [format/outcome]. Please keep it simple, highlight anything uncertain, and ask one question if you need more information.
Tip: Works for nearly any everyday task.

The five magic follow-ups

Please (1) explain it more simply, (2) give me an example, (3) shorten it, (4) identify what I might have missed, and (5) show me the next practical step.
Tip: Choose one at a time rather than using them all.

The check-before-you-send prompt

Check this for spelling, clarity, tone, inconsistent details and unsupported claims. Suggest improvements, but do not change facts or names without asking. [Paste draft]
Tip: Always read the final version before sending.