Turn a messy list into a clean table
Paste a jumbled list of names, dates or contacts and show the AI one example of the clean format you want. It tidies the rest to match.
Clean up this list.
Below is a list of event sign-ups copied from emails and a web form. Turn it into a table with these columns: First name, Last name, Email, Team, Sign-up date. Rules: - Names in normal capitalization (Jordan Lee, not JORDAN LEE or jordan lee). - Emails in lowercase. - Dates as YYYY-MM-DD. - If something is missing, leave the cell blank. Don't guess. Here's one example of a clean row: Jordan | Lee | jordan.lee@example.com | Finance | 2026-09-14 After the table, list any rows you weren't sure about and why. """ [paste your messy list] """
Why it works
Rules alone leave room for interpretation, but one example of a finished row shows exactly what you mean. Telling the AI to leave gaps blank stops it from inventing details to fill them. The list of uncertain rows tells you where to look, because a tidy-looking table can still hide mistakes.
Try it now
Click a highlighted part and type your own details. Press Enter to jump to the next one, then copy.
Turn the list below into a table with these columns: [column names]. Rules: [how names, dates, numbers and blanks should look]. If something is missing, leave it blank. Don't guess. Here's one example of a clean row: [one row, formatted the way you want] After the table, list any rows you weren't sure about. """ [paste your messy list] """
Variations
Find the duplicates
Check the table for likely duplicates, including near-matches like the same email with different name spellings. List them; don't delete anything.
Ready to paste
Give me the clean table as comma-separated values with a header row, so I can paste it straight into a spreadsheet.
Keep it consistent next time
Write these cleanup rules as a short prompt I can reuse every time I get a new batch of sign-ups.
Based on: OpenAI, "Prompt engineering: few-shot learning". Last checked October 3, 2026.
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