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Welcome to the Project Pan Tracking Template!
created by A Spreadsheet & A Dream
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START HERE
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**Before using this document, please make sure you have downloaded and saved your own copy.** File -> Download -> Microsoft Excel (.xlsx)
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This is a detailed spreadsheet and might feel overwhelming at first. You do not need to fill out every category - fill out what is most useful to you and leave the other fields blank. Or go all in and use every section (I see you, overachiever). You are welcome to delete any categories, graphs, tables you don't want in your template.

You may also find this tracker is missing a feature you'd like or something doesn't represent your experience well. Please feel free to make changes as needed to better support your project pan journey.

Feedback is welcome! I am a spreadsheet enthusiast, not an expert. There may be mistakes or better ways to set up certain functions that I have not learned yet. If you come across any errors or have suggestions on how I can improve this spreadsheet please email:

spreadsheetdreamer@gmail.com
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Tab Overviews
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1. Tracking Guide (general information & tips)

2. My Products
This is the main tracking sheet where you will enter information about the products you want to track during your project pan. Most columns have an input message attached, meaning if you click on the header of a column a note will pop up with more information to help you fill it out.

Some columns have dropdown menus where you can select an answer instead of typing it in. These options may not always be ideal for you or you might find you need to add more. You can change these by editing the data validation rules for that column.

3. Data Dashboard
This sheet will provide a quick summary of where your products are at and multiple graphs to help visualize your progress and patterns. The quick summary table in the top left should automatically update as you enter data into the main tracking sheet. However, the graphs will usually need to be refreshed to show changes (see helpful tips below). You can move these graphs around freely if, for example, you need to adjust their sizes or the order the show up in.

4. Pivot Tables
These tables are connected to the graphs on your data dashboard. Come to this page if you want to view your data in table format or if you want to create new pivot tables/graphs. Otherwise you can mostly ignore this sheet.


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Helpful Tips
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Watch the guide video.
I made a guide video specific to this spreadsheet. If something is not working or is confusing, try watching this video first. It also includes some spreadsheet how-to's that you might want to know, such as conditional formatting and data validation.
https://youtu.be/lDXI7gtJ5wY

Read the input messages.
Input messages will show in (almost) every column when you click on the header. Read these as you are getting used to the spreadsheet to make sure the formulas, pivot tables, and graphs will work well with the data you input.

Make sure each row is a different product.
The spreadsheet is designed to keep track of how many different products you have as well as how many total products you own. Only add one row for each product even if you have multiples of that exact product. Then add the amount you are starting with in the "Starting Quantity" column or adjust the number in "New Additions" any time you buy more of a product.

Refreshing graphs and pivot tables.
You will have to refresh the graphs/pivot tables any time you enter new data in your main tracking sheet. There are two ways to do this:
1. Individual update: Right click inside the table or graph and select "refresh"; this will only update that individual graph/table
2. Update all: Select a table or graph -> click the green "PivotTable Analyze" or "PivotChart Analyze" tab in the toolbar -> find "Refresh" and open the dropdown menu -> click "refresh all"; this will update all tables/graphs in the file

When in doubt, be consistent.
Some of these categories have an element of subjectivity. You can use similar criteria that I list in the input messages/talk about in the tutorial video, or you can create your own. The main thingthat matters for data analysis, is that you are consistent in which criteria you are using. It helps to write it down somewhere - I would recommend adding a definitions sheet to keep track of your personal criteria and definitions.





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