How ChatGPT Helped Build a Dynamic TV‑Show Tracking Spreadsheet
Key Points
- User asked ChatGPT to design a TV‑show tracker spreadsheet.
- Initial columns included genre, streaming platform, watch partner, episode length, tone, and series status.
- ChatGPT added status, rating, and notes columns with dropdown menu suggestions.
- AI provided formulas to filter solo comedies under 30 minutes on subscribed services.
- ChatGPT generated five cozy show recommendations under 40 minutes on Hulu or HBO Max.
- The spreadsheet now holds over a hundred entries and supports dynamic sorting and personal notes.
A user turned to ChatGPT to design a Google Sheets tracker for TV shows they were watching, planning to watch, or wanted to revisit. The AI helped define columns for genre, streaming platform, watch partner, episode length, tone, and status, then added rating and notes fields with dropdown menus. Subsequent prompts refined sorting criteria for solo comedies under 30 minutes on subscribed services and generated personalized show suggestions, including five cozy titles under 40 minutes on Hulu or HBO Max. The result is a continuously updated, searchable watchlist that reduces scrolling and streamlines recommendations.
Background
A TV enthusiast who rarely binge‑watches found their list of shows to watch growing faster than they could manage. They wanted a single spreadsheet that could track current, planned, and potential shows while allowing sorting by multiple attributes such as genre, streaming service, episode length, and whether the show was watched alone or with a partner.
Designing the Spreadsheet
Using ChatGPT, the user asked for a spreadsheet layout that included columns for genre, streaming platform, watch partner, episode length, tone, and whether a series was ongoing or finished. ChatGPT responded with a sample table, asked clarifying questions, and produced a Google Sheets structure complete with suggested formulas for multi‑criteria sorting.
After populating the sheet with a few entries, the user realized they also needed to track completion status and personal ratings. They instructed ChatGPT to add a status column, a rating‑out‑of‑10 column, and a notes column for comments such as recommendation ideas or future family‑viewing plans. ChatGPT updated the layout and recommended using dropdown menus for the status field to simplify sorting.
Refining Sorting and Recommendations
With the basic framework in place, the user asked ChatGPT how to sort the sheet to display solo comedies that were under 30 minutes and available on streaming services they already subscribed to. The AI supplied additional formulas and tips for filtering out shows marked “Abandoned.”
Seeking new content, the user then requested five show suggestions that were cozy, under 40 minutes, and available on Hulu or HBO Max. ChatGPT generated a list that included genre, tone, and a brief description for each recommendation, and the user added these entries to the spreadsheet with the appropriate labels.
Outcome
The resulting spreadsheet now contains over one hundred shows and continues to grow. It offers quick filtering by personal preferences, tracks completion status, and provides a space for rating and notes. By leveraging ChatGPT’s ability to generate structure, formulas, and tailored suggestions, the user eliminated aimless scrolling and created a dynamic tool for managing their viewing habits.