Excel Illiterate

iBusiness

Hi all,

Part time web design has got to a point where i need to start keeping proper records. I've made sure i have invoiced and kept all necessary paperwork, but when it comes to Excel and similar i have no real idea how to convert my paperwork to a proper electronic record of my work.

This is the first time ive needed to put a proper spreadsheet together and although ive read around the subject, im still somewhat in the dark when it comes to putting a spreadsheet together.

Does anyone know of a free resource where i can download a ready made spreadsheet template that i can customise to my business? Failing that, a tutorial or some good advice would be hugely appreciated

charlotte3

Hi!

I have just asked my son (who is a young techie!) and he says to use a database, which you should be familiar with and is much faster, better and more intelligent solution since you cna query things properly. Try Microsoft 'Access' or if you want something web based that you could access from anywhere, 'MySQL' and 'PHP' or 'ASP' or any other web scripting language that might take your fancy.

I must admit that it's all over my head but I hope this helps you!

Justin_Credit

I have read on several threads that people are doing their books using Excel.

I am a sole trader, non VAT registered, a one man business carrying out work as a Handyman/Painter and have been using Excel for a while.

It sounds to me from what I've read that we are all doing it differently but in a way that suits our individual needs. I thought I would start this thread so that we can all add our comments and ideas and, who knows, we each may be able to improve on what we or others do.

I must confess that I am one of those people who enjoys the book-keeping part of running a business. At least that is true now that I can do it using the PC, somehow it wasn't so interesting when I kept paper records.

I have based my Excel workbook on one of the proprietry brands of books that you can buy in W H Smith's or Staples for the running of a small business and have adapted it to suit my situation.

I will give a more detailed description of my setup on a later posting if anybody is interested.

Regards

JC

1jim

hi
id be very interested
I have excell but am a novice at this and cant use it properly so am using paper records to cook the books
I have a website and sell on ebay, costs are very simple etc but would love a helping hand
thanks
jim

Chippy_Minton

What sort of spreadsheet template do you want?

Excel has built-in templates for Balance Sheet, Expenses, Sales invoice etc., and there are dozens of templates in Office Online.

Which version of Excel do you have?

To create a spreadsheet based on a template in Excel 2003, click File - New. The New Workbook task pane appears on the right hand side. Under Templates click 'On my computer' (or 'Office Online') and select the required template on the Spreadsheet Solutions tab. Excel might run an installation the first time you use one of the built-in templates.

Chippy_Minton

There is a free amateur bookkeeping and accounts package using Excel available at http://www.bondriver.co.uk/bondriver_files/accounts.htm.

Although I haven't used it myself, it does look very comprehensive with a decent manual.

iBusiness

Hi Chippy,

Thats some great advice - for some reason (and probably because i dont use Excel) i was assuming that i would need a third party spreadsheet; i had no idea M$ themselves would provide templates.

I will have a look at your link - im on Office 2000 by the wat if that makes a difference?

bridiej

I've merged these threads as they are discussing similar topics

scml

Chippy_Minton wrote:

What sort of spreadsheet template do you want?

Excel has built-in templates for Balance Sheet, Expenses, Sales invoice etc., and there are dozens of templates in Office Online.

Which version of Excel do you have?

To create a spreadsheet based on a template in Excel 2003, click File - New. The New Workbook task pane appears on the right hand side. Under Templates click 'On my computer' (or 'Office Online') and select the required template on the Spreadsheet Solutions tab. Excel might run an installation the first time you use one of the built-in templates.

hiya also there are a number of templates on microsotf.com, hope all is well

tru

This site's good too