Course Outline
DAY 1
Module 1 — Claude Fundamentals, Prompting and Personalisation
Explore Claude beyond the chat window. Identify its standout features, determine when it is preferable to other AI tools, and learn how to personalize the tool so that responses align with the user’s specific profile.
Topics
• Claude’s market positioning and what distinguishes it from other AI tools in 2026
• Model families: Fable, Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, along with guidance on when to use each
• Probabilistic operation of AI, hallucinations, and risk mitigation strategies
• Differences between plans and the benefits of having a paid account
• Effective prompting: understanding why context outweighs syntax; foundational structures; knowing when to start a new chat and when not to
• Custom Instructions for each user profile: defining role, priorities, and communication tone
Exercises
• Exercise 1 — Construct a comprehensive prompt to address a complaint
• Exercise 2 — Configure Custom Instructions for the user profile
Module 2 — Projects, Artifacts and Skills
Utilize Projects to create persistent workspaces with dedicated knowledge bases, such as manuals, technical sheets, and standards. Understand Artifacts as a production space within the chat environment. Establish working instructions through Skills.
Topics:
• Projects: persistent workspaces featuring their own history and dedicated knowledge base
• Project Instructions vs Profile Preferences — how these elements complement each other
• Sharing Projects with the team: features available in Team and Enterprise plans
• File upload capabilities: PDFs, Excel files, and images
• Artifacts: producing documents, dashboards, and interactive prototypes directly within the chat
• Web Search: accessing real-time information with verifiable citations
• Skills: defining and applying repeatable procedures
Exercises:
• Exercise 3 — Build a functional Project tailored to the user’s own context
• Exercise 4 — Generate a functional Artifact tailored to the user’s own context
• Exercise 5 — Create a functional Skill tailored to the user’s own context
DAY 2
Module 3 — Cowork, agents and Microsoft 365 integration
Shift perspective from viewing AI as a simple chatbot to treating it as a work partner capable of operating in the background on real, day-to-day data.
Topics:
• Claude Desktop: installation, requirements, authentication, initial configuration, and key differences compared to browser use
• Claude in Chrome: installing the official extension, managing permissions, practical use cases, limitations, and security precautions
• Claude Mobile: utilizing AI in mobile contexts, synchronizing across devices, and best practices for work on the go
• Cowork: understanding its function, capabilities, and optimal use cases
• Microsoft 365 connector: connecting to Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams
• Multi-step tasks: search, read, summarize, write, and send workflows
• Scheduled tasks: utilizing Scheduled Prompts
• MCP (Model Context Protocol) and the Connectors ecosystem
• Current limitations of Cowork and strategies to work around them
Exercises:
• Exercise 6 — Create a Cowork project and organize its folder system
• Exercise 7 — Configure a complete Cowork project with Skills, instructions, and folders. Test this project on a complex task.
Module 4 — Claude in Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Leverage Claude with Microsoft 365 applications—including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations—by utilizing your own files to accelerate analysis, writing, review, and the preparation of work materials.
Topics:
• Excel: data analysis, formula creation, table cleaning, interpretation of indicators, and preparing executive summaries
• Word: reviewing, rewriting, document structuring, creating proposals, reports, minutes, and professional communications
• PowerPoint: transforming content into presentation narratives, creating scripts, enhancing key messages, and adapting content for the target audience
Exercises:
• Exercise 8 — Use Claude to analyze an Excel spreadsheet and produce an executive summary with conclusions and recommendations
• Exercise 9 — Transform a Word document or a set of notes into a PowerPoint presentation structure
Requirements
To actively participate in the practical exercises, you must have the following prepared before the course begins:
- Active Claude Account (Paid): A Pro, Team, or Enterprise plan is required to access Projects, Artifacts, and the advanced models utilized in Module 2.
- Microsoft 365 Access: A functional account with access to OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is necessary to complete the integrations outlined in Modules 3 and 4.
- Laptop with Installation Rights: You need a computer where you are permitted to install Claude Desktop and the Chrome extension (required for Module 3).
- Your Own Files (Highly Recommended): Bring 2–3 real-world documents (e.g., a PDF manual, an Excel sheet, or a Word report) to utilize during the hands-on exercises. Please ensure these files do not contain strictly confidential data.
