Transactions Tab

 

Tutorial - Written Guide

Welcome to the Transactions Tab Tutorial for the budget template. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to enter and manage your transactions in the budget spreadsheet. This tutorial will cover everything you need to know to get the most out of this feature.

Step 1: Entering the Date

In the Date column, you’ll enter the date of each transaction using the format YYYY-MM-DD (Year-Month-Day). You must use this format or the spreadsheet may exclude transactions from other areas of the spreadsheet.

Step 2: Selecting the Type of Transaction

In the Type column, you’ll choose the type of transaction from the following options:

• Income
• Expense
• Debt
• Investment
• Loan

Note: The “Loan” type is specifically for the Family and Friends Loan feature, which is covered in another tutorial.

Step 3: Choosing a Category

Once you select a transaction type, the Category column will automatically pull from the categories you’ve set up in your Budget Tab. For example, if you select “Expense” in the Type column, it will show the expense categories you’ve created, such as “Groceries,” “Utilities,” etc. This ensures that your transactions are properly categorized.

Step 4: Adding a Description

The Description column is optional but highly recommended. Adding a description helps you remember what each transaction was for. At the bare minimum, you should enter where you spent the money. For example, if you spent $100 on groceries at Walmart, at least enter “Walmart" in the description. This adds clarity to your records, and it’s particularly helpful when reviewing your expenses. The more detail, the better.

Step 5: Entering the Amount

In the Amount column, always enter positive values regardless of the transaction type unless you’re using the Loan Account Feature. If you need a refresher on how to use the loan feature, check out the separate tutorial dedicated to that.

Step 6: Handling Subscriptions

If the transaction is for a recurring payment like a subscription, mark “Yes” in the Subscription column. Otherwise, leave it blank.

By marking a transaction as a subscription, the spreadsheet will include the transaction in the Subscription Review Tab. 

Step 7: Paid By Column

If you paid for something with a Debt or Investment account, such as a credit card or savings account, be sure to label it accordingly in the "Paid By:" column. This step is crucial for accurately tracking your financial progress. Here’s why:

For example, if you make a $1,000 payment on your credit card, but only $900 of that was for new charges and $100 was paying off old debt, the spreadsheet will correctly track that only $100 was actual debt repayment. If you skip this step, the spreadsheet will overestimate how much you’ve paid toward your debt.

Important Tip: Avoid Copying and Pasting

One of the most important rules when using the Transactions Tab is not to copy and paste entries. The reason for this is that the tab has built-in customizations that adapt based on the type of transaction. For example, the color of the row changes, and the available accounts adjust depending on the type of transaction. If you copy and paste, these customizations may break, causing certain features to stop working on the pasted lines.

If you need to enter multiple similar transactions, such as monthly rent, it’s better to manually enter each one rather than copy-pasting. Although it takes more time, it ensures that the spreadsheet continues to function properly.

What to Do if You Accidentally Copy and Paste

If you do accidentally copy and paste a line, don’t worry! First try to use the Undo button in the top left (Or Ctrl + Z). If you are unable to undo the action, it won’t break the entire spreadsheet—only the affected rows. You can simply skip the broken rows and continue entering data in the next available row.

Advanced Option: Paste Values Only

For advanced users who are comfortable with spreadsheets, there is a workaround: using the “Paste Values Only” option. This method allows you to copy and paste without breaking the customizations. However, if you're unfamiliar with this feature, it's best to avoid it to prevent any confusion.

Conclusion

That’s it for the Transactions Tab! By following these steps, you’ll ensure your transactions are accurately recorded and categorized. This tab is essential for tracking your spending, income, debt, and investments, so take the time to fill it out carefully. Avoid copying and pasting, and you’ll keep your spreadsheet running smoothly.

If you found this guide helpful, be sure to check out the rest of the tutorials for more tips on getting the most out of your budget template!