Checkbook Registers: How to Make an Online Template using Google Docs

Keeping track of your checking account balance has always been a vital part of money management. It used to be simple. When you wrote a check, you'd enter it into the register in the back of the checkbook. However, in the age of the debit card, most people no longer have a checkbook register on hand.

Here's a simple way to create an online checkbook register using Google Docs. Once you've made it, you'll be able to use it from any computer with Internet access and even your smartphone!

Head over to Google Docs and enter your Google user name and password. If you don't have a google account, simply click the "Create an account now" button to get started. (see Fig. 1)

If you are using your home computer, you can check the box next to "Stay Signed In." This way, you won't have to log in every time you want to enter a transaction.

However, if you're on a public computer, make sure this box is unchecked so no one else can access your information.

Google Docs is essentially an online version of Microsoft Office. It allows you to create word processing documents, slide show presentations, spreadsheets, drawings, etc.

In order to make an easy to use checkbook register, we are going to use the spreadsheet tool. In the upper left corner of the window, click on the arrow next to "Create New" and scroll down to select "Spreadsheet." (see Fig. 2)

Once the unsaved spreadsheet opens, click "File > Rename" and give you checkbook register a name. Then click "File > Save."

Next, you can name the columns of your checkbook register and enter a starting balance. To do this simply click inside the cells in Row 1 and enter the column headers. (see Fig. 3)

A basic register should have the following columns:

• Column A: Date
• Column B: Check #
• Column C: Description of Transaction
• Column D: Debit
• Column E: Credit
• Column F: Balance

If you withdraw money from your checking account, that amount will be entered into the "Debit" column. When money is deposited into the account, enter that amount in the "Credit" column.

Once you've named your columns, enter the starting balance into cell F2. You can easily tell the spreadsheet to format your balance in dollars and cents by selecting a cell and clicking on the "$" button. This is on the toolbar just below "Insert" and will enable the "Format as Currency" option. (see Fig. 4)

I suggest selecting columns D, E and F in their entirety and clicking on the "$" button. You can select an entire column by clicking on the letter above each column.

When you enter your first transaction, you will put a dollar amount in the debit or credit column. Google Docs will calculate your new balance automatically using the "SUM" tool.

After you've put the transaction information into row 3, select cell F3. This is where your new balance will appear. Click on the formula button on the toolbar, which looks like the Greek symbol for Sigma, or a goofy looking "E." Then scroll down to select "SUM." (see Fig. 5)

You should see "=SUM()" appear in cell F3. In order to easily account for a debit or credit transaction, type "F2-D3+E3" in between the parentheses. (see Fig. 6) This will tell the spreadsheet to subtract values from the debit column and add values from the credit column.

Finally, you will need to copy the formula that calculated your new balance to the rest of the rows in the spreadsheet. Select cell F3 and hover over the lower right corner until the cursor changes to cross hairs. Now, click and drag to select all the rows in column F. (see Fig. 7) By copying this way, Google Docs automatically changes the row numbers in the formula. For example, cell F3's formula of (F2-D3+E3) will change to (F3-D4+E4) for cell F4.

Now that you know how to track your spending, what should you do with the money you don't spend?  Here are some tips on finding a high interest savings account for your emergency fund.

Do you keep overspending despite tracking your checking account?  Learn some tips on how to stick to your budget here.