The basic spreadsheet software program on your computer can be your home business’ handiest tool. Perhaps you are already savvy with all the ways to use a spreadsheet, or perhaps you are one of those people who pretty much uses your computer for e-mail and word processing? Here are some basic tips for how to utilize spreadsheets to help you run you home business.
Sure, spreadsheets are great for accounting, but many of us struggle with even the most basic bookkeeping when it comes to our home businesses. Even if you are just keeping a simple record of money in and money out—you can do this in a spreadsheet and it may minimize your chances for errors. Since you can do the calculating within the document, you don’t have to do the addition and subtraction separately. If you get really good and knowledgeable, you can do all sorts of accounting functions within a spreadsheet—but for starters, you can keep track of your business accounts, or even keep individual spreadsheets on specific vendors or clients.
Your spreadsheet software may also have an invoice template that already exists that you can use for invoicing in your business. This invoice can be changed to include your business name, dates, and other specific information and it can make it very easy for you to send out uniform invoices on a regular basis. Again, the spreadsheet is set up to do the calculating for you.
A simple spreadsheet table is also a good place to keep databases of contacts, clients, mailing lists, etc. Since it is so simple—you can just assign a field name to each column as in: first name, last name, street, etc.—you can keep a very useful database without having to wrestle with a fancy database software program. Once you have the information in the spreadsheet, you can then use it to merge into letters, e-mail, and make mailing labels. You also have plenty of room within the spreadsheet to keep track of notes, purchases, and other information.
If you have been hesitant to use your spreadsheet capabilities in your home business, I hope this will inspire you to give it a try. You’ll be surprised how much more efficiently you’ll be able to store and track information in a spreadsheet.
See Also: How Are You Keeping Your Records?