Hi there, which add-on you are using?
Hi Peter,
It’s called GPT for Docs™ Sheets™ Slides™ - Google Workspace Marketplace. I did end up getting the paid version simply because I needed to use it way more than the free credits allowed me too. When you try to copy paste the gpt formula into too many cells at once it will take a while to process everything and in some cases the formula error will popup, but it is still worth it for what I was looking for.
1 Like
One more technique to use besides the prompt is function calling. I find it works quite well in multiple use cases. This works well because you can segment the response into multiple parts. One example would be:
{
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"answer": {
"type": "string",
"description": "Your response to the user's message formatted as markdown."
},
"sources": {
"type": "array",
"description": "Sources that you used to generate your response.",
"items": {
"type": "object"
}
},
"followup_questions": {
"type": "array",
"description": "Followup questions that you want to ask the user.",
"items": {
"type": "string"
},
"maxItems": 3
}
}
}
That is a great way to shorten the request. i use “Your role is…” and, Role: You are an expert travel blogger…
For me it’s very all over the place. Sometimes it’s almost useless for hours, then all of a sudden is back to performing miracles. Recently, more than once I have used an entire session of gpts messages with nothing accomplished, then the next time one prompt exactly like I had been using sets off a chain of events that performs the whole task perfectly. When it’ working well things are much better recently (downright incredible) but it’s less stable in general for me. When it isn’t working well it gets really weird these days. Again, just my experiences.
How do we avoid same repetative messages. After 2-3 message it just keep repeating same mistakes again and again.
Yeah, that started up for me a couple/few days ago and has been a problem.
Never seen it doing this so much and so bad.
The repetition thing is kind of a trait of current llms. I’ve found you can’t really change the direction of a conversation after a certain point (multiple mistakes/corrections) I go back to where the thread is coherent , then rephrase the message that sent things off track and try to get things to flow in a straight line. Works well.
1 Like
Hello Cino Nicholas,
In response to your query,
You can try dividing the prompts into two or more parts according to the context. For example, when using ChatGPT, you can first ask the model to generate a general response to questions about trips. Then, ask it to rewrite the previous message following your specific rules, and potentially request a rewrite or additions by calculating the expected duration, meals, locations, etc.
Regarding your question about integrating with Google Sheets, you can achieve this using AppsScript (if you really need to make modifications) to prepare your table and feed information to the assistant. However, it’s important to note that direct integration with Chat may not be the best choice at the moment, but the assistant will do the job link. You can utilize file reading tools for supported file types such as .xlsx or .csv link.
Hope this helps 
Best regards,
Covic
1 Like
For prompt consistency and efficacy, I’ve found the most luck with the following process:
TL;DR have ChatGPT do the work for me.
- I’ll chat for a while about the problem I want to solve, etc.
- I often start by discussing tangential but related topics, like First Principles type stuff before I actually start chatting about what I want.
- I then ask ChatGPT to generate a prompt for me based on our discussion. This often requires a couple iterations for fine-tuning. Often ChatGPT will create a “human-prompt” no matter how I request a “ChatGPT prompt”. So then I ask it to re-word as “a set of instructions for you (ChatGPT) to be used in a future chat session.”
4.If the problem is more complex or highly involved, I go so far as to have ChatGPT generate a plan to follow while generating the prompt. Then generate the prompt.
This process almost always yields a far superior result than if I try to craft an ideal prompt on my own. So much so that I rarely, if ever, write my own prompts anymore except for the simplest prompts.
4 Likes
I got ChatGPT to generate this prompt:
Please generate a trip description for a scenic drive down the California coast or similar, including a description, schedule, and duration. Use the following guidelines:
-
[Title for Leg 1 of the Journey]
- Style: Realistic, clear, avoiding unnecessary adjectives and embellishments.
- Content: Focus on the first event, activity, or site visit. Include relevant context and emphasize unique aspects.
- Details: Provide comprehensive details without skipping essential elements.
- Flow: Ensure a logical progression to the next section.
-
[Title for Leg 2 of the Journey]
- Follow the same format as Leg 1, focusing on a different event, activity, or site visit.
Continue with additional sections as needed, each with a unique title and focusing on a different aspect of the trip.
-
[Schedule]
- Header: Write “Schedule:” after the descriptive paragraphs.
- Content: List the day’s main activities as sentences.
- Exclusions: Do not mention spare time or optional activities.
-
Approximate Trip Duration: [Summary of total trip duration]
Example response format:
[One or more paragraphs depending on the trip]
- Focus: One paragraph per event, activity, or site visit.
- Style: Realistic, clear language.
- Details: Include unique aspects, context, and sequential flow.
Continue with additional paragraphs as needed, each focusing on a different aspect of the trip.
Schedule:
- [Main Activity 1] (time estimate) - Brief sentence describing the activity.
- [Main Activity 2] (time estimate) - Description of the next main activity.
Continue listing the day’s main activities, formatted as sentences.
Approximate Trip Duration [Provide an estimated duration of the entire trip or day’s activities, taking into account the time spent at each site and travel between locations.]
Which yielded
Portland’s Urban Charm
The scenic journey begins in Portland, Oregon’s vibrant and eclectic city. Known for its lush parks, bustling arts scene, and unique neighborhoods, Portland offers a blend of urban sophistication and natural beauty. A visit to the iconic Washington Park, home to the International Rose Test Garden and the Portland Japanese Garden, provides a peaceful start to the trip, showcasing the city’s dedication to green spaces and floral displays.
Through the Wine Country of Willamette Valley
Leaving Portland, the drive takes you through the heart of the Willamette Valley, Oregon’s famed wine country. Rolling hills and expansive vineyards dominate the landscape, offering a picturesque backdrop. A stop at one of the many wineries in the area for a tasting session gives a glimpse into the region’s renowned Pinot Noir and other varietals, along with insights into the winemaking process.
Oregon Coast’s Natural Splendor
Reaching the Oregon Coast, the drive reveals the dramatic beauty of the Pacific coastline. The first coastal stop is Cannon Beach, famous for its expansive sandy beach and the striking Haystack Rock. This area is ideal for beachcombing, photography, and simply soaking in the stunning views of the ocean. Further along the coast, the quaint town of Seaside offers a classic beachfront promenade, complete with shops, restaurants, and an arcade, perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Schedule:
- Explore Portland’s Washington Park (1 hour).
- Enjoy wine tasting in Willamette Valley (2 hours).
- Visit Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock (1.5 hours).
- Stroll through Seaside’s beachfront promenade (1 hour).
Approximate Trip Duration:
The total estimated duration of the drive, including stops for sightseeing and leisure activities, is approximately 5.5 hours. This provides a relaxed pace to fully appreciate the diverse attractions from Portland to the Oregon Coast.
And,
San Francisco’s Iconic Gateway
Embarking from the vibrant heart of San Francisco, the drive commences with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. This engineering marvel presents a stunning view of the city and the bay, especially striking in the early morning as the fog unveils the skyline. The journey continues into the Marin Headlands, offering a stark contrast with their rugged cliffs and expansive views of the Pacific Ocean.
Half Moon Bay’s Coastal Serenity
The road winds south to Half Moon Bay, a gem nestled along the coast. Known for its picturesque beaches and the famous Mavericks surf break, Half Moon Bay exudes a tranquil charm. Strolling through the town reveals a tapestry of artisan shops and local eateries, leading to the soothing shores where the rhythmic waves offer a peaceful respite.
Santa Cruz: A Blend of Nature and Thrills
Further along the coast, Santa Cruz emerges as a blend of natural beauty and vibrant amusement. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, brimming with nostalgic charm, features classic rides and games. In contrast, the nearby tranquility of the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, with its towering ancient trees, invites a peaceful exploration of its verdant trails.
Captivating Carmel-by-the-Sea
As the journey nears its end, the scenic drive reaches Carmel-by-the-Sea, a quaint village renowned for its artistic heritage and stunning beach. The village streets, lined with unique galleries and boutiques, lead to the inviting sands of Carmel Beach. Here, the sunset paints a breathtaking scene, a fitting close to a day filled with scenic wonders.
Schedule:
- Explore the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands (1.5 hours).
- Discover Half Moon Bay’s beaches and town center (2 hours).
- Experience Santa Cruz Boardwalk and redwood forests (3 hours).
- Wander through Carmel-by-the-Sea and relax at Carmel Beach (2 hours).
Approximate Trip Duration:
The total estimated duration for this scenic drive, including exploration and leisure time, is approximately 8.5 hours. This allows for a comprehensive and enjoyable experience of each unique location along the California coast.
- not sure if that was what you’re after, but each trip itinerary is consistent.
3 Likes
Nice, that prompt worked really well! Same approach for me. Start with a quick little back and forth to set the stage, discuss the problem, then get to work. You can tell if it will work or not by how the setup chat goes. When it starts asking for specific details about exactly what you are thinking about you are in business and it can work wonders. Clean conversation history is the holy grail for me these days. Every message pointing in the same direction steadily moving along a path.
I realise this isn’t about content, but did notice:
That’s pretty optimistic.
Do not mention spare time or optional activities
Might be not letting it account for time to find a parking spot etc, just a guess.