How to use this function

Prepare a report from data with Clara

Learn to compare actual performance with budget, follow report preparation and use the differences in a monthly review.

The explanation and a short practice take about 5–8 minutes. Processing and your questions can extend the session.

Start this course

Codex

Open Codex on your computer with Clara installed and select @Clara in a chat.
Copy the request below, paste it into the chat and send it.
Turn on Codex voice in this chat. The assistant will guide you to open the second working chat in another window: listen and ask questions here, and watch the work and results there.

Request to send to Clara

Clara, start the prepared lesson “Prepare a report from data with Clara” in English. Teach me to use this function with the included fictional files. Use this chat to explain the steps and answer my questions. Create or resume a second working chat to run the current workflow, and guide me to open it in another window. Help me turn on voice. Show me the actual results, then let me try the practice exercise.

The fictional lesson files are already included in the plugin. You can also take the lesson in writing. This button copies the request; the lesson starts when you send it in Codex.

Start in Claude Cowork

Open Cowork with Clara installed and a connected folder for the lesson. Copy and send this request: the lesson takes place in writing in one conversation.

Request to send to Clara

Clara, start the prepared lesson “Prepare a report from data with Clara” in English, in writing in this single Cowork conversation. Use the included fictional files. Explain each step, run the current function and show me the actual results. Pause for my questions and guide me through the practice exercise. Do not use voice or a second chat.

When to use it

Arco has prepared January and February management accounts and a budget for the same months. The manager wants to understand operating performance and which categories explain the difference from plan before the monthly meeting.

The case includes revenue, cost of goods sold and operating expenses in EUR. The report separates observed figures from explanations requiring company evidence. Clara selects the analysis from the question and data; this first use follows a budget comparison. The teaching report stays local.

Files and request

Open actual-budget.xlsx and facts-en.md. GL contains monthly movements by account and category; Budget contains the comparable plan. Revenue is positive and costs are negative. The case declares periods, meanings and control totals: actual EUR 53,000 and budget EUR 47,000.

Clara, prepare Arco’s actual-versus-budget report for January and February 2026 from this workbook. Show operating performance, variances and category detail.

Run the workflow

The assistant inspects the sheets and proposes which columns contain dates, categories and amounts. Confirm January–February and the sign convention before calculation.
The workflow applies the reviewed mapping, compares actual with budget and checks totals. The voice chat explains the actual step and any requested information.
Open the dashboard and workbook produced in the working chat. Start with the period summary, then the monthly comparison and category detail.

Use the result

Dashboard: shows period performance and absolute and percentage variances where meaningful. Use it to decide which categories to investigate.
Workbook and report: retain tables, controls and links to the data. The summary distinguishes the measured variance from its cause, which may need investigation.

Check that both sheets cover the same months and that costs use the expected sign. Trace one difference to its source category and month. Ask the company for explanations when the figures do not establish a cause.

Pause and check

Before calculation: find the two sheets and confirm the reporting period.
At the result: locate the overall comparison and one category you would investigate.

These pauses help you learn how to use the function. They are not a technical detail quiz.

Try it yourself

Use actual-budget-march.xlsx to request an update through March. Formulate the request, confirm the new period and compare the result with the preceding report.

The new report must include March and preserve the preceding version. You can find the budget comparison and trace one category to its data.

To repeat at work, supply actuals and plan for comparable periods, specify the period and meeting purpose, review the interpretation of the inputs and open the generated report.