How to Balance a Checkbook With Excel 2003

Balancing a Checkbook

Microsoft Excel 2003 allows you to balance your checkbook without the need for a physical check register. There are two ways to balance a checkbook with Microsoft Excel 2003. The easiest method requires you to download a template to customize for your use. The second method requires you to set up a checkbook spreadsheet manually. Both ways allow you to effectively balance your checkbook on your computer.

Instructions

Manual Method

1. Open a blank Excel 2003 spreadsheet.

2. Type the following headings in the first row: "Check #," "Date," "Description," "Debit," "Credit" and "Balance." These mimic your checkbook register. Format the headings however you like. Recommended formatting is to bold, center and underline headings.

3. Type "Initial Balance" or "Initial Deposit" in the first empty cell under "Description." Type your current or starting balance in the first empty cell under "Balance."

4. Type the following formula in the next empty cell under "Balance": "=F2-D3+E3. This assumes Debit is in column D, Credit is in column E and Balance is in column F. If the column letters differ, adjust the formula accordingly.

5. Enter data into each row of the checkbook spreadsheet.

6. Find the current balance after each entry by clicking the balance cell above your entry. This will not apply to your first entry. Drag the cell, or copy and paste the cell, to the cell directly below it. For instance, if your previous balance is in cell F3, highlight F3 and copy the formula into F4.

Template Method

1. Open a blank Excel 2003 spreadsheet.

2. Go to "Help" and select "Microsoft Excel Help."

3. Type "check register" in the search box and press "Search."

4. Click "Check Register." This will be your first result. Press "Download" to download and use the template.

5. Follow the instructions in the box that appears to begin using the template.

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the colors, row and column widths in the template at any time.

• In the manual method, you can copy the formula to multiple cells, or even the entire column, at one time. Your current balance will appear in all the cells that the formula is copied to until you make new entries in the register. As an alternative, use the following formula, without quotes, to keep the cells blank until new information is entered: "=IF(AND(ISBLANK(D3),ISBLANK(E3))," ",F2-D3+E3)."

• Don't alter the formula in the template. This will cause the balance to calculate incorrectly.

References

• University of South Dakota: Step by Step Example of a Checkbook