How to Use Excel to Balance a Checkbook

1. Open Microsoft Excel. Click cell “A1” and type “Date.”
2. Type “Check Number” in cell 'B1' and type “Description” in cell “C1.”
3. Click cell “D1” and type “Amount.” Type “Balance” in cell 'E1.'
4. Click the column “A” header at the top of your spreadsheet. Right-click the header and select “Format Cells” from the drop-down menu. Click the “Number” tab and click “Date” in the Category section. Select the format “3/14/01” in the Type section, and click “OK.”
5. Click the column “D” header and drag your mouse to column “E.” This action will select both columns. Click the dollar sign ($) located in the Number section on the “Home” tab.
6. Click cell “A1” and drag your mouse over to cell “E1.” Click the “Center” button in the Alignment section and the “Bold” button in the Font section. Click the arrow next to the “Border” button and select “Bottom Border.” If you have trouble finding a button, hover your mouse over a button to view a description.
7. Hover your mouse between column header “B” and “C.” Your mouse cursor will change to a vertical line with two arrows. Click your mouse and drag your mouse right to resize the column. Resize the column to 13.57 (100 pixels). Hover your mouse between column header “C” and “D.” Resize the column to 20.71 (150 pixels). Resize column D and E to 10.71 (80 pixels.)
8. Enter your beginning checking account balance in cell “E2.”
9. Enter the following formula in cell “E3” and press enter: =IF(A3,IF(ISNUMBER(FIND('Deposit',C3)),E2 D3,E2-D3),' ')
10. Click cell “E3” and hover your mouse over the lower-right corner of the cell. Your cursor will change to a plus sign ( ). Click the corner of the cell and drag your mouse down approximately 10 cells. This procedure copies the formula from cell “E3” and pastes it in the following cells. The formula adjusts to coincide with the row.
11. Enter the date of your first transaction in cell “A3” to activate the formula. If you omit this step, the register will not calculate your transaction.
12. Enter the check number in cell “B3,” if applicable. If the transaction does not involve a check, leave this cell blank.
13. Enter the transaction’s description in cell “C3.” If this transaction is a deposit, you must include the word “Deposit” in your description for the formula to recognize that the deposit is an addition to your balance.
14. Enter the amount of your transaction in cell “D3.” Cell E3 displays your current balance.