Step by Step Example of a Checkbook

Below are the steps to setup a Checkbook

When you finish you should have a spreadsheet that you can play around with and EVEN balance YOUR checkbook.

The basic equation of this example is the formula that takes the previous balance and adds any deposits and subtracts any debit. You want to make sure that it always adds anything in the credit column (even if blank) and always subtracts anything in the debit column (even if blank). This way you can have an equation that does NOT have to be changed depending on if a line item is a debit or credit.

checkbook example

  1. Open Excel and open a blank spreadsheet.
  2. On the first line enter check # in cell A1, date in cell B1, description in cell C1, debit in cell D1, credit in cell E1, and balance in cell F1.
  3. type open account (initial deposit) or starting balance in Cell C2
  4. then enter a beginning balance in cell E2 and F2
  5. Click on cell F3 and type the following equation. =F2-D3+E3 and hit enter
  6. Click on cell F3.
  7. Notice the outline of the cell and Notice the little square in the lower right corner of the cell.
  8. Click on that little square and hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse down a few cells. (this copies the formula - relative to it's position to the cells you selected.)
  9. Fill in your check#, date, descriptions, debits, credits and notice that the balance will automatically be updated as you enter your data.
  10. If you need more NEW BALANCE cells - simple repeat step 8 above by clicking on the last balance and dragging down.

If you found this useful and would like to see more step-by-step examples done, send suggestions of content and comments on items you've completed. Things might have to be tweaked a little - but feedback will be more helpful than anything at this point. Thanks for looking at this example.

The completed document can be downloaded (virus free and macro free) by clicking here (9k).

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