Claude: The AI Tool Hidden in Excel

Many people dismiss AI as impractical, limited to chatting or content creation. However, some users have elevated Claude to new heights, transforming their ordinary computer interfaces into something resembling a sci-fi game. They utilize Claude for tasks like checking old computer models, troubleshooting Bluetooth issues, organizing files, and even assisting with mental health therapy. So, why do some find AI useless while others liberate their hands with it? What practical features of this AI tool hidden in Excel remain unknown to the average user?

Claude is an AI tool that can be integrated into various office environments and terminal settings, supporting local computer operations. It can access various content on devices without complex operations—users simply input commands, whether casual descriptions or technical instructions, to accomplish tasks. It offers both a free and a paid version, with the latter costing around 140 yuan per month. Most users’ needs can be fully met by the free version, which unlocks core functionalities without additional costs. Currently, Claude is not open-source and lacks GitHub star ratings, but it boasts strong compatibility with various software and plugins.

Practical Guide to Using Claude

1. Terminal Operations: Transforming Your Computer into an Efficient Console

Many find terminal operations complex and intimidating, but Claude simplifies this for beginners. Users often integrate tools like Oh My Zsh and tmux with Claude within their session lifecycle. A key feature is its integration with 1Password, allowing Claude to log into all services at the session’s start while maintaining sudo permissions, eliminating silent failures due to permission issues and reducing repetitive tasks.

Additionally, Claude can handle various complex tasks within the terminal, such as executing a series of shell commands while explaining each step’s purpose and logic. Users can connect to all Google services through gogcli, facilitating collaborative brainstorming and project planning, which can be organized in Google Drive for easy sharing with clients and colleagues.

2. Everyday and Office Tasks: Comprehensive Coverage from Resale to Email Management

In daily scenarios, Claude proves highly practical. For instance, when selling items on eBay, users can upload photos of old computers and ask Claude questions like “What model is this?” or “What is it worth?” to receive quick, accurate answers, saving them the hassle of manual research. Remarkably, Claude can even troubleshoot Bluetooth issues, as one user discovered that the problem was software-related rather than an IT fault, ultimately saving time and repair costs.

In office settings, Claude is an “efficiency tool”: it can quickly analyze logs and spreadsheets stored in a folder to identify issues. By uploading recordings of multiple Zoom meetings, it can pinpoint discussions on specific obscure processes and summarize the conversations. Claude can even create static website presentations, making the process simple and enjoyable.

When handling emails and Excel, Claude excels as well. It can categorize emails before drafting, highlighting decisions, deadlines, and special requirements, allowing users to focus on critical replies. For Excel, it organizes chaotic information into clear to-do lists, aligning with typical office habits without requiring manual sorting.

3. Learning and Management: A Research Assistant and Personal Organizer

As a research assistant, Claude efficiently processes various documents: by uploading a folder of files, it can quickly analyze content and uncover overlooked connections, as well as generate transcripts. It can also organize laptop folders, standardize folder names, and sync with Notion to automatically update research notes, plans, and logs, creating a database that saves considerable typing and organizing time.

In personal management, Claude tracks all personal goals and projects through Obsidian, allowing users to visualize their progress. Each project is stored in a separate folder, containing session logs, branding files, and regular archival to keep content organized. Additionally, it can assist with household tasks, such as creating plans to manage ADHD tendencies and helping users make informed purchasing decisions, even aiding in managing spreadsheets for startups.

4. Special Scenarios: Assisting in Psychological Therapy and Professional Communication

Surprisingly, Claude can also serve as an auxiliary tool for psychological therapy. Users, who are professional doctors and therapists, utilize Claude to address “professional communication” issues—asking about preferred treatments for certain conditions, clarifying professional terminology, and understanding the differences between DSM and ICD diagnostic standards. It can also help record simple daily diaries, such as when knee pain began or how long symptoms lasted, aiding users in communicating their situations more clearly with their therapists.

Critical Analysis: Is Claude Perfect or Does It Have Flaws?

While Claude undeniably addresses the core pain points of AI usage for everyday users—simplicity and comprehensive applicability—there are notable shortcomings. Users have reported instances of a condescending tone, which detracts from the experience. Many operations require repeated adjustments to achieve desired outcomes, lacking the promised one-click efficiency. Some users suggest using Perplexity as an alternative for searches, but due to infrequent use, they cannot confirm if its search capabilities surpass Claude’s. Past experiences with Perplexity revealed issues with repetitive search results and low-quality content, along with AI hallucination problems.

A pressing question arises: as AI becomes more prevalent in office tasks, will it trigger a second wave of AI hype when the workload handled by AI reaches 25% of developers’ work, potentially leading to a collapse in the job market? This is a critical consideration brought forth by Claude’s emergence, highlighting a reality that all AI tools must confront—are they tools for liberating hands or competitors replacing human jobs?

Real-World Implications: The Core of AI for Ordinary Users is Practicality

Claude’s rise to popularity fundamentally addresses the core needs of everyday users—there’s no need to pursue flashy features or master complex operations; solving practical problems and saving time defines a good AI tool. Many dismiss AI as useless, not because of the technology itself, but due to a lack of suitable use cases. Some believe Claude has limited functionality outside of Microsoft Office, but in reality, it holds value across terminals, emails, Excel, and daily tasks.

For ordinary users, AI’s value lies not in showcasing technical prowess, but in its practicality: saving time on research, organizing spreadsheets, troubleshooting minor issues, and simplifying complex workflows. Claude meets these demands perfectly, transforming AI from an inaccessible technology into a tool within reach for everyone—be it office workers, entrepreneurs, or individuals with personal learning and management needs.

Moreover, Claude’s low entry barrier, with a free version covering basic needs and a paid version at 140 yuan per month for more complex scenarios, ensures that ordinary users are not deterred by price. This “inclusive nature” makes it more relatable to everyday life than many high-end AI tools, truly achieving the goal of “AI serving humanity” rather than forcing people to adapt to AI.

Discussion Topic: What is the Most Practical Thing You’ve Done with AI?

Some users have used Claude for troubleshooting Bluetooth issues, organizing files, assisting in psychological therapy, and project management, while others still view AI as a “useless tool” without finding effective use cases. Ultimately, the value of AI is subjective—when used in the right context, it can be a hand-liberating tool; when misapplied, it risks becoming merely a chat tool.

What practical tasks do you use AI tools for? Have you encountered any “useful yet imperfect” AI tools like Claude? Do you think AI’s proliferation will replace human jobs or make our lives easier? Share your thoughts in the comments for a discussion on practical AI tips!