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How to Open Your Template
Step-by-step instructions for Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, and fixes for the most common problems.
What is in your download
Each template comes with:
- An Excel workbook, a file ending in .xlsx
- A PDF quick-start guide, which also contains your Google Sheets copy link
A bundle arrives as one .zip file. Open the zip first: on Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All; on a Mac, double-click it. You will then see a folder for each template.
Open your template in Microsoft Excel
- Find the file in your Downloads folder and double-click it.
- If a yellow bar appears at the top saying Protected View, click Enable Editing. This is normal for any file downloaded from the internet.
- Choose File, then Save As, and save a copy with the year in its name, for example “Income Expense Tracker 2026”. Keep the original as a clean spare.
- Start on the Start Here tab and follow the steps.
Open your template in Google Sheets
- Open the PDF quick-start guide and click the Google Sheets copy link.
- Sign in to your Google account if asked.
- Click Make a copy. The template is now saved privately in your own Google Drive.
- Rename it with the year, and start on the Start Here tab.
Your copy is yours alone. Nobody else, including us, can see it unless you choose to share it.
Using it on a phone or tablet
Install the free Google Sheets app, then open your copy from Google Drive. Entering a payment or a trip works well on a phone. For first-time setup and for dashboards, a computer is easier.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| I cannot type in the file | Click Enable Editing in the yellow bar at the top of Excel. |
| I see ##### in a cell | The column is too narrow for the number. Widen the column by dragging its right edge. |
| A drop-down list does not appear | Click the cell once, then click the small arrow on its right. In Google Sheets, make sure you opened your own copy, not the view-only original. |
| Totals are not updating in Excel | Go to Formulas, then Calculation Options, and choose Automatic. |
| Dates look like numbers | Select the cells, then choose a Date format from the number format menu. |
| The Google Sheets link asks for access | Use the link in your PDF guide and click Make a copy. Do not request access. |
| I changed a formula by accident | Use Undo (Ctrl+Z, or Command+Z on a Mac). If that does not help, start again from your saved original. |
| I cannot find my download | Look in your Downloads folder, or use the link in your order email. |
Tips for keeping your records safe
- Save a new copy for each year, and keep past years.
- Back up your files, either to a cloud drive or an external disk.
- Type only in the white input cells. Cells with formulas are protected so they cannot be changed by accident.
- Keep receipts in a dated folder, and note the file name in the template.
Still stuck? Contact us and tell us which template you have and what you see on screen. More answers are in our FAQ.