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