How to Use Open Office Calc to Balance a Checkbook
Balance your checkbook electronically by using Open Office Calc. Open Office Calc allows you to store and organize data in a grid-like, spreadsheet format. Automatically calculate your current checkbook balance without a calculator with Open Office Calc’s built-in formulas. The checkbook balance spreadsheet can be made to look similar to your own checkbook, including deposit, withdrawal and description sections. Balancing your checkbook electronically means you’ll never run out of space again like you would with a physical check register.
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Instructions
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Open Open Office Calc.
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Select “File” and choose “New.”
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Type the following headings along the top row of your Open Office Calc spreadsheet: “Check No.,” “Date,” “Description,” “Withdrawals,” “Deposits” and “Balance.”
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Highlight the headings and press the “B” and “U” buttons on the formatting toolbar. This formats your headings so they stand out from your checkbook entries.
If you would like to increase or change the font size, use the font type and font size drop-down boxes on the formatting toolbar above the spreadsheet to change your font.
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Enter your current balance in the first blank cell under “Balance.” Do not enter any other text or numbers in the first row of the spreadsheet.
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Enter one of the two following formulas in cell “F3,” which is under the “Balance” heading:
Simple formula – “=F2-D3+E3” This formula assumes D3 is your withdrawal column and E3 is your deposit column. Your current balance will display on each row until you enter a withdrawal or deposit.
Advanced formula - “=IF(AND(ISBLANK(D3),ISBLANK(E3))," ",F2-D3+E3)” This formula keeps your balance cell blank until a withdrawal or deposit is entered. Your last balance will be displayed in the last row where you entered checkbook data.
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Select the cell you just entered the formula into.
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Place your mouse cursor on the right bottom corner of the cell under the cursor turns into a “+” sign.
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Drag the cell down the “Balance” column until you reach at least cell “F100” to copy the formula.
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Enter a deposit or withdrawal into the third row of the spreadsheet to begin balancing your checkbook.
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Tips & Warnings
If the formula does not copy correctly, select cell “F3” and press “Ctrl” plus “C” to copy the formula. Select cell “F4” and press “Ctrl” plus “V” to paste the formula. Continue pasting the formula into each cell you wish to use the formula in.
References
- Photo Credit balancing checkbook image by palms from Fotolia.com
