How to Use Spreadsheet Templates
A spreadsheet template does the setup for you: the columns, dropdowns and totals are already built, so you only add your own rows. This guide covers our Google Sheets templates from start to finish: making your own copy, changing it to fit, and entering your data.
Step 1: Open and copy your template
1. Open the link.
After you buy a template, download the PDF and click the link inside it. The sheet opens view-only, so every buyer starts from a clean original.
2. Sign in to Google.
A free Google account is all you need to make your own editable copy.
3. Make a copy.
Choose File > Make a copy. The copy lands in your own Google Drive and is yours to edit.
4. Rename it.
Pick a name you will find again, like “Monthly Tracker” or “2027 Budget”.
Step 2: Change it to fit
- Column titles: rename them to match what you track (tasks, categories, vendors).
- Dropdowns: edit the lists, such as expense types or status labels, under Data > Data validation.
- Currency: select the money columns, then Format > Number > Currency, or Custom currency for another symbol.
Step 3: Add your data
- One row per entry: log each payment, task or booking on its own row, with its date.
- Use the notes column: a few words of context now saves guessing later.
- Leave the formulas alone: totals and summaries update on their own as you fill in rows.
Step 4: Review your progress
- Where a template has a dashboard or summary tab, that is where totals and trends show up.
- A weekly or monthly look is enough to catch patterns early.
Guides for specific templates
Some templates have their own walkthrough. The Airbnb Google Sheets template guide goes through the rental ledger tab by tab, how to make a reading tracker in Google Sheets covers the book trackers, and the Google Sheets budget template guide covers budgets.
Once you have set up one template, the rest work the same way: copy, rename, adjust, and start adding rows.
FAQ
Why can’t I edit the file I opened?
The link opens a view-only original so every buyer starts from a clean file. Choose File > Make a copy and edit the copy in your own Drive.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes. The Google Sheets app on iPhone, iPad and Android opens and edits your copy. Making the first copy is quickest on a computer.
Do I need Excel?
No, a free Google account is enough. If you would rather work in Excel, File > Download > Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) saves a version Excel opens; check the totals once after the download.
Can I track more than one property, budget or project?
Yes. Right-click a tab and choose Duplicate for a second set inside the same file, or make a second copy of the whole file.
Will my copy change if the template is updated?
No. Your copy is separate from the original, so nothing you enter is ever overwritten.
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