Template Overview
Keeping track of where money goes is the simplest way to control business spending, but most people give up because manual totals are tedious. This tracker fixes that: enter each expense once on the Expenses sheet (date, category, description, payment method, amount) and the linked Summary sheet recalculates instantly. The Month column fills in automatically from the date, the Category column has a built-in dropdown so your data stays consistent, and the Summary uses SUMIF formulas to total your spending by category. It's ideal for freelancers, small businesses, and anyone who wants a clear monthly picture without learning complicated software.
Features
- Two linked sheets: expense log + auto summary
- Spend-by-category totals update automatically (SUMIF)
- Built-in category dropdown keeps data clean
- Month auto-fills from each date
- Works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice
Instructions
- Download the file and open it in Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice.
- Go to the Expenses sheet and enter each expense on its own row.
- Pick a category from the dropdown so the summary groups it correctly.
- Type the amount — the running total at the bottom updates automatically.
- Open the Summary sheet to see spending by category and your grand total.
- Add or rename categories to fit your business if needed.
FAQ
Is this expense tracker free?
Yes. It is free to download and edit for personal and business use.
Does the summary update automatically?
Yes. The Summary sheet uses SUMIF formulas, so totals recalculate as soon as you add or change an expense.
Can I add my own categories?
Yes. Edit the category list in the dropdown and add a matching row on the Summary sheet to total it.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Upload it to Google Sheets and the formulas and dropdown carry over.