Automate Everyday Tasks with Python & AI

Automate repetitive office work with Python — spreadsheets, files, email prep, and scheduled tasks with AI-assisted scripting.

Level: intermediate · Ideal for: Python Foundations graduates or confident Excel users

4-week in-person programme at Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, London W7 1PD · 8 sessions · Europe/London timezone

What you will achieve

• Automate CSV/Excel exports and produce summary reports.
• Batch-rename, move, and organise files with audited scripts.
• Schedule scripts safely on Windows or Linux.
• Combine Python with AI to draft transformations you verify and run locally.
• Deliver a capstone workflow that saves measurable time each week.

What we cover

Automation patterns

• Reading and writing CSV and Excel (openpyxl / pandas intro)
• Path handling with pathlib
• Logging and dry-run modes

Reliability

• Idempotent scripts and rollback plans
• Task Scheduler / cron introductions
• Email-ready reports (HTML/text generation)

AI for automation

• Describing transformations in plain English
• Generating script drafts you test on copies
• Documenting scripts for handover

Course structure

Phase 1 — Python refresh and tooling (Week 1 · 2 live sessions)

Align on Python basics and set up a safe automation workspace.

• venv, requirements.txt, and project folders
• argparse for CLI flags (--dry-run)
• Logging to file vs console

Deliverable: Starter automation repo layout.

Phase 2 — Spreadsheet and CSV pipelines (Week 2 · 2 live sessions)

Ingest exports, clean data, and output management summaries.

• pandas read_csv / to_excel basics
• Column normalisation and deduplication
• Pivot-style summaries for stakeholders

Deliverable: Weekly sales/export report script.

Phase 3 — File and folder automation (Week 3 · 2 live sessions)

Organise downloads, invoices, or scans automatically.

• glob patterns and shutil operations
• Naming rules and conflict handling
• Archiving with date stamps

Deliverable: Inbox-to-archive file organiser.

Phase 4 — Capstone workflow (Week 4 · 2 live sessions)

Design, test, and document an end-to-end automation for your workplace.

• Scoping ROI and failure modes
• Scheduling and monitoring
• Handover README and runbook

Deliverable: Production-ready capstone script + schedule.

Prerequisites

• Python Foundations course or equivalent (variables, loops, functions, files).
• Comfortable with Excel or CSV exports from your line-of-business system.

Delivery

• Scripts run on your own PC or server — we do not host your data.
• Access to sample data provided; you may use anonymised real exports in the capstone.

Full course details: https://nlcrc.co.uk/courses-python-automation-ai

Location: Hanwell Community Centre, Westcott Crescent, London W7 1PD

Bookings and enquiries: nlcrc.co.uk · 020 3393 0948