Forum Discussion
Excel help -- wanting to combine budget and checkbook in one
Using excel I want to combine a budget and checkbook balancing in one
I believe that what Lorenzo was getting at in pointing you to this page is that you give far too few details for anybody to give a meaningful response.
So let me help you with some thoughts. First an observation: combining a budget tracking system with checkbook balancing may sound like a good idea on the surface, but is it realistic? For example, I know in my case, far more expenses are covered by credit card transactions these days than by writing of checks. I don't even write a check to pay the credit card bills--they're handled by my bank as electronic transfers.
So unless you mean to accomplish those two tasks by separate tabs/sheets in the same workbook, it may not be a project that makes sense.
That said, I'm attaching a simple example of how Excel can be used to track income and expense transactions, with the Pivot Table capability of Excel summarizing those transactions on a monthly basis.
My other recommendation, though, would be to sketch out on paper what you envision and then take a pass at creating it yourself. One of the best ways to learn Excel is to take a task you care about--and a budget tracking spreadsheet is something any adult should care about--and work to create it. It's actually fairly basic. If you're a total novice with Excel, get to a bookstore and buy an introductory book on Excel. Or look at YouTube, where there's a wealth of helpful videos for beginners. Come back here when you have a specific problem with what you're creating and want help resolving that.
- I guess the checkbook balance was not exactly what I meant --- it is actually a what I earned and
what I spend during the month as everything is in paying for everything c cards, debit cards and
on limited times checks.
All income is direct deposit.
I know what I earn and spend to a penny but trying to get the program to do all of it at once,
I have just skimmed the Pivot option just lately
thanks
JimI guess the checkbook balance was not exactly what I meant --- it is actually a what I earned and what I spend during the month
Well, a first lesson in developing a computer application is the need to be pretty clear (not necessarily exact); clarity of thought and precision in defining terms (and processes) is a prerequisite to creating a good spreadsheet.
I know what I earn and spend to a penny but trying to get the program to do all of it at once,
I have just skimmed the Pivot option just latelyI think that quick and dirty example I gave you should give you a good start. A simple straight-forward transactional database such as that one includes, can be used with the Pivot Table to give you a really good picture of it all. You can research Pivot Tables here, and if you like videos here, on YouTube.
Suggestion: Take a look @Welcome to your Excel discussion space!, this may help you...
