Expense Tracker · Free · No account
Log payments and compare spending totals.
The workbook includes an Expense Log, where each payment is one row, and a Summary worked out from it. The Summary totals spending by month, by category and by how it was paid, and lists the largest payments. You choose the columns.
- Excel 2016 and later
- Calculations checked in LibreOffice and Google Sheets
- Choose the purposeChoose personal, business or claiming back. This sets the wording on the Start Here sheet. Then pick the currency and name the log.
- Choose the columnsWrite your categories and payment methods, then switch on Shop or payee, Project or client, Tax-deductible, Receipt reference, Claiming back and Account or card as needed.
- Download and logStart typing in row 6 of the Expense Log, one payment a row. The Summary and the Check column update as you go.
Build your workbook
Preview: Personal spending log. Change the selected dates, categories or layout to update the preview.
JavaScript is required to use the builder. The workbook is made in your browser.
What you get
Five columns per payment
Date, description, category, amount and how it was paid. Payee, project, receipt and tax columns are optional.
Month by month
A row for each of twelve months from the month you choose, with a bar beside each total to compare the months.
Business or personal
Add project, receipt and tax-deductible columns for business costs, or leave them out.
Claims tracked until repaid
Mark what is to be claimed back and see ◐ To claim, ◐ Waiting and ✓ Repaid, with the total still owed.
The Personal spending log example
Ten categories, from Groceries and Eating out to Gifts and Subscriptions, and five payment methods including Debit card and Cash. The Expense Log has a Paid to column, and the Summary shows month, category and method totals and the largest payments.
Sheets included (5)
- Start HereHow the workbook works, what each sheet is for and the settings used.
- Expense LogEvery payment, one per row. Start typing in row 6.
- SummaryTotals by month, category and payment method, and the largest payments. Worked out from the Expense Log.
- ListsEdit the white lists to change dropdown choices. Shaded lists are fixed because formulas use those names.
- SettingsValues used by the workbook, such as reminder windows. Change them here.
File details
- Made for
- Excel 2016 and laterThe download is an .xlsx workbook.
- LibreOffice
- No calculation errors in our testLibreOffice recalculated every formula in the workbook with no error values, such as #VALUE! or #N/A.
- Google Sheets
- Calculations matched Excel in our testGoogle Sheets removes sheet protection and repeated print headings.
- Apple Numbers
- Some calculations do not workMany calculations on the Summary sheet and the Expense Log sheet do not work in Apple Numbers. Numbers converts list-based dropdowns to plain cells and removes colour markers, sheet protection, frozen headings and number and date validation. Use Excel for these calculations and features.
- Calculations
- The Start Here sheet lists the calculations used in this workbook. Results update from the entries you add.
- Builder privacy
- The builder runs in your browser. The entries used to make the workbook stay on your device. How the utilities work
Examples
Personal spending tracker
Individuals and couples who want to see what they really spend each month and on what.
Business expense tracker
Sole traders, freelancers and small businesses who want costs recorded against a project with the receipt easy to find.
Expense claim tracker
Employees and contractors who pay work costs personally and want to know which claims are still outstanding.
Trip expense tracker
Travellers who want to know what a holiday cost and how much went on travel, accommodation, food and activities.
Questions
Are my builder entries sent to Due Form?
No. The builder uses them in your browser to make the workbook on your device.
Information is sent to Due Form when you submit a form or use another service described on the How it works page.
Can I print the log and the summary?
Yes. The Expense Log prints landscape and repeats its header row on every page. The Summary prints on one or two pages, on A4 or US Letter.
What does the Check column do?
It shows ✓ Logged when a row is complete, and names what needs fixing otherwise, such as a missing amount, a missing date or text where a number belongs.
Can I add my own columns?
Yes. You can add up to eight extra columns in the builder, such as Mileage or Team, and move any column up or down before you download.
Does it work out tax or mileage?
No. Mark each payment Tax-deductible Yes or No and the Summary totals the Yes entries. Add a Mileage column if you need one. Confirm which costs qualify with a tax adviser.
Request a tool or send feedback
Request a tool or report a problem
Tell us what you would like to add, change or fix in the Expense Tracker builder.