The usual way
- Copy last month's report and swap in the new numbers
- Re-apply the same filters, formulas and formatting
- Rewrite the commentary from scratch every time
Recurring reports
Automate the report you rebuild every month
Build the report once, the way you like it. Save the whole method as a Loop. Next period, drop in the new file and get the same report back, or let it run on a daily or weekly schedule and land in your inbox.
Saved LoopCompare budget to actual and explain the gaps
- July reportbudget-vs-actual.csvDelivered
- August reportbudget-vs-actual.csvDelivered
- September reportbudget-vs-actual.csvRunning now
Next run scheduled. Result emailed to you.
What changes
Stop rebuilding it by hand.
With CTRON Loop
- Build the report once and save the method as a Loop
- Next period, add the new file and run it in one click
- Or schedule it daily or weekly and get it by email
Photo by Manasvita S on UnsplashEvery period
The report is ready before anyone asks for it.
Month end, Monday morning, the quarterly board pack. The date arrives, the Loop runs on the latest data and the result is waiting in your inbox, built with exactly the same rules as last time. You spend the time reading it, not rebuilding it.
What you get
Everything you need, from one file.
The method is saved, not just the output
A Loop keeps your source setup, instructions and output format together, so the next run follows exactly the same rules.
One click for next period
Replace the file or refresh a connected Google Sheet and rerun. No rebuilding, no copying last month's version.
Scheduled delivery
Set a daily or weekly schedule and the refreshed result is emailed to you.
A record of what was sent
Every report is stored as it was, so last quarter's version still says exactly what it said when it went out.
How to do it
4 steps. Plain English throughout.
No formulas, no templates to set up. Describe what you need the way you would to a colleague.
Decide what the report answers
Who reads it, which period it covers and which metrics it always includes. Writing this down once is what makes every future run consistent.
Build the first report
Upload the spreadsheet or connect a Google Sheet, then ask for the KPIs, breakdowns and commentary you need. Refine the instruction until the output is exactly what you would send.
Try typingWeekly operations report: completed and overdue jobs by team, with a short summary of what is outstanding.
Save it as a Loop
On Pro or Pro Max, save the finished work as a Loop. Spell out the rules that matter, such as which fields to use and what to exclude, so the method is clear to anyone who picks it up.
Rerun or schedule
When the next file arrives, run the Loop on it. Or choose a daily or weekly schedule and the result is refreshed and emailed to you automatically.
Worked example
Try it on a budget report
The budget vs actual sample holds monthly spend by department, cost centre and category against budget. Open it with the Budget vs Actual task already selected and run it.
Build a first report now
No account, no card, no API key.
- Variance by department and category, with the largest gaps first
- Commentary explaining the movements a reader will ask about
- The exact report you would save as a monthly Loop
Questions
Good to know.
How do I automate a monthly report from Excel?
Build the report once in CTRON Loop from your Excel file, then save it as a Loop. Each month, add the new file and run the Loop, or schedule it to run and email you the result.
Can reports run on a schedule?
Yes. Loops can run daily or weekly and email the refreshed result. Scheduling is part of the Pro and Pro Max plans.
What happens if my columns change?
Update the Loop's instructions to match the new layout and run it once to confirm. Consistent column names keep every run identical.
Does it work with Google Sheets?
Yes. Connect a Google Sheet as a source and the Loop reads the latest data each time it runs, so there is nothing to re-upload.
Can I try it before paying?
Yes. Build and review a first report on the try page with no account, or on the Free plan. Saving Loops starts on Pro at £14.99 a month.
Do it once. Run it again in one click.
Bring the file behind your next recurring task and see a real result in the next few minutes.
Build a first report now No account, no card, no API key.