Course Outline
Transitioning from Manual Reporting to Automated Workflows
- Mapping existing manual reporting processes
- Prioritizing candidates based on frequency, effort, and risk
Establishing the Automation Workspace
- Setting up Python, text editors, and virtual environments
- Installing pandas, openpyxl, and Selenium
Core Python Concepts and Script Reusability
- Variables, conditional logic, loops, and lists
- Creating small functions and organizing sequential script steps
- Interpreting and acting on error messages
File Management, 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 datasets
- Cleaning dates, monetary values, and duplicates
Generating Reports with openpyxl
- Populating Excel workbooks with results
- Applying formatting, formulas, and charts
- Generating outputs driven by Excel templates
Validating and Reconciling Outcomes
- Using control totals and row count checks
- Identifying duplicates and anomalies
- Implementing quality gates prior to release
Leveraging Claude for Code Creation and Reusable Skills
- Prompting for automation scripts
- Auditing and refining generated code
- Creating reusable skill packages for the team
Web Automation with Selenium and Chrome
- Element location, wait mechanisms, and navigation
- Safely authenticating to internal portals
- Handling pagination, downloads, and file management
Integrating Power BI and Internal Excel Sources
- Accessing published reports and data exports
- Managing shared folders and file lock issues
- Adapting to changes in layouts and columns
Distributing Reports via Email and WhatsApp
- Sending emails from Gmail using app passwords
- Managing attachments, summaries, and recipient lists
- Using business messaging templates and opt-in strategies
Orchestrating Processes with PowerShell
- Executing scripts and capturing output
- Handling parameters, logging, and exit codes
- Chaining steps into a unified pipeline
Unattended Scheduling via Task Scheduler
- Creating and configuring scheduled tasks
- Managing service accounts and run-as permissions
- Monitoring execution and configuring retry behavior
Troubleshooting, Logging, and Security Practices
- Implementing structured logs and error capture
- Storing credentials securely and applying least privilege principles
- Handling personal and regulated data responsibly
Documentation, Handover, and the Capstone Project
- Creating process documentation and runbooks
- Capstone: Developing a complete departmental report
- Executing the first scheduled run and reviewing results
Requirements
- Previous programming experience is not necessary.
- Proficiency in using Windows, Microsoft Excel, and a standard web browser.
- Familiarity with the specific reports or processes targeted for automation.
Intended Audience
- Professionals in business, operations, finance, and administration tasked with recurring reporting duties.
- Team leaders and supervisors looking to transfer these capabilities to their respective teams.
- Analysts transitioning from manual reporting methods 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.
