How to Create a Simple Checkbook Register With Microsoft Excel

You can cut down the time you spend reconciling your checkbook by creating a simple checkbook register in Microsoft Excel. It doesn't take much time to do and then you have built in calculations. With more people paying bills online and using their debit cards, checks are becoming outdated, but you still need to balance your checking account.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Excel. Type in "Check Register" in cell A1. Center this across the columns you will be using, from A through G. Select cell A1, hold down the shift key and select cell G1. After you highlight it, go to "Format" and "Merge Cells." Then select "Center" which is under "Format" and "Cells."

2. Skip a row and make the headings starting in cell A4. Type in "Item Number," move to the next column and type in "Date," move to the next column and type in "Description of Transaction," continue moving and typing the headings as follows: "Payment," "Done," and "Deposit." Go to cell G3 and type in "Balance."

3. Format the cells. In cell G4 select "Format" and "Cells" under "Numbers" select "Currency" and the way you want the dollar amount shown in the category. Go to cell B6. Hold the shift key down and page down a few times. Then select "Format," "Cells" and "Date" and then the way you want the date to look. Do the same for the "Payment," "Deposit" and "Balance" columns but format them for money. Alternatively, you can format them as numbers with two decimals.

4. Select the "Balance" column again and put in the following formula in cell G6: "=G5+F6-D6". Copy the formula down by using "Auto Fill" or "Copy" and "Paste."

5. Start entering your data beginning with your current balance in G4, and then adding each transaction as you make it. Don't forget to put in debit transactions as well as any bills that you pay online. Add in all your deposits too.

6. Play with and test the numbers, as you want to be sure that it's working correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to update your check register daily and check it against your bank balance weekly or monthly.

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