Obsolete or Upgraded? Why the AI Era is the Best Time to Learn VLOOKUP

Published: 2026-02-11

A lot of people say we’re in the AI era now—GPT, Claude, and specialized tools can do almost everything. Some even ask: Are humans becoming obsolete? I don't think so. The choice is still ours. If you actually want to learn, AI doesn’t replace you—it levels you up.

Today, I’m demonstrating this shift using the most classic Excel hurdle: VLOOKUP. Instead of scrolling through static documentation or watching 10-minute tutorials, I asked Mica to teach me directly inside my spreadsheet. It didn't just give me an answer; it built the classroom for me.

Video: An AI Tutor at Your Pace

From Zero Prep to Real-World Mastery

What makes this workflow different is the interactivity. The moment I sent the prompt, Mica took action without any manual setup from my end. It immediately created a ProductData sheet with realistic sample data to use as a reference point.

Then, in a dedicated sheet called vlookup_example, it generated two practical examples. It didn't just drop the formula; it provided the full syntax and clearly explained what each parameter actually means—the crucial details that standard tutorials often gloss over.

Look at the logic Mica implemented for a typical lookup:
=VLOOKUP(F2, ProductData!$A$2:$C$100, 2, FALSE)

Mica isn’t just doing the work for you; it’s doing the work with you. Excel didn’t suddenly get harder—we just finally got a tutor that teaches at our pace. When AI acts as your learning partner rather than a simple replacement, the future of work looks a lot more empowering.