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Tracking the progress of your goals is key to achieving your goals. Below, you’ll see, step-by-step, how to track goals in Excel to make sure you’re getting them done!
You’ll even see how to create a chart to help track the progress you’re making on your goals.
How to Make a Goal Tracker in Excel
Watch: How to Track Goals in Excel – Tutorial (video)
In this example, we’ll use Excel to help track the progress being made on reaching a goal of saving $2,000 for emergencies.
BONUS: Scroll to the end to see how to create a chart so you can have a visual representation of your progress.
Example of a simple goal tracker you can make in Excel:
- Write what your goal is
For example, in cell A2, you can write “Goal:” as your label.
Then, in cell B2 write a descriptive title for your goal. For example, “Save $2,000 for emergencies.” - Create the layout for your goal tracker
List the name of each month: in cells B4 through M4, enter the name of each calendar month.
Create a “Total” column: in cell M5, write “Total” as your label. Enter a formula to sum the totals for all the months (for example, SUM(B5:C5)) - Set monthly goal targets
To help you stay on track and motivated, you should create smaller, realistic goals to meet throughout the year. Together, these smaller goals will equal your larger goal.
For this example, you would create monthly goals.
In cell A5, write “Savings Goal:” as your label.
Then, below the label for each month, enter your savings goal for that month. - Track your results
Next, you want to track your result for each month, against the monthly goal.
For this example, in cell A6, you would write “Actual Amount Saved:” as your label.
Then, under the label for each month, enter the amount of money you saved that month. - Use a percentage to see your progress
Seeing a percent to completion value can help give you an idea of how you’re doing against your goal. Are you 100% on track? Or 60%? This can be such a quick way to gauge your progress.
1. Set Your Goal
The first thing you’ll need to do is set your goal(s).
Make sure your goal is specific and its title descriptive. The last thing you want to do is to misinterpret your own goal!
You’ll also need to consider how you would track the progress of your goal. Depending on your goal, this might require some creativity.
To track a goal in Excel, the goal must be able to be quantified. This means that, in some way, numbers must be used to gauge if the goal has been completed.
For example, if your goal is to “network more”, perhaps you set a goal of meeting people for coffee at least 4 times per month. Or a total of 48 coffee meetings in a year.
In the example in this tutorial, we’re going to track the progress of saving $2,000 for emergencies over the course of a year.
2. Make a Goal Tracker in Excel
Once you’ve decided what your goal is, the next step is to create a layout for your goal tracker in your Excel sheet. This will be where you enter and track the progress you’re making.
Making a goal tracker in Excel can be as basic or as complex as you like. I LOVE easy, so I’m going to stick to the basics for this example.
Along the left side of my sheet, I’m writing labels for “Savings Goal.” In the cell below that, “Actual Amount Saved.”
Then add labels for each month horizontally, above the other labels.
3. Create Monthly Goal Targets
Monthly targets are a way of breaking your goal into smaller, achievable pieces you can complete throughout the year. Their total will equal your main, yearly goal.
Monthly targets can also help you determine if your goal is too ambitious or not ambitious enough.
You’ll want to be realistic about your monthly targets. You’ll know best what works for you.
It’s ok to make adjustments throughout the year. Goal tracking should motivate you, not be a source of negativity.
In this example of saving $2,000 in a year, I’ll be using these monthly estimates for how much money to save each month:
January: $100
February: $200
March: $200
April: $300
May: $200
June: $100
July: $100
August: $200
September: $200
October: $200
November: $100
December: $100
Under the “Total” heading, sum the totals for all the months.
TIP: Press Alt+= for the Auto Sum keyboard shortcut
Copy this SUM formula to the cell below it. This will sum the actual amounts saved as you enter them each month.
4. Track Your Results
Each month, you’ll return to your goal tracker and enter your results for that month. In this example, that will be how much money you saved that month.
The mere act of checking in with your goal tracker can help motivate you to stay active and on track toward your goal throughout the year. Hopefully, helping you avoid a last-minute rush to complete a year-long goal in the final weeks of the year.
5. Use a Percentage to See Your Progress
Seeing a percentage can give you an idea of how you’re doing against your goal.
For “Percent Completed,” enter a formula to divide the actual amount into the estimated amount.
Don’t forget to format this cell with percentage formatting!
You’ll find the percentage format in the Home tab of the Excel Ribbon, in the Number section.
Then, each month, you can enter the amount of money saved!
Bonus: Create a Chart to See the Progress of the Goal
Creating a chart is a great way to get a quick visual of the progress you’re making toward your goal.
To track the progress for this example, you would track the total “Actual Amount Saved” against the total “Savings Goal.”
I’ve entered some data just so that the chart has something to display.
Then, with your cursor, select the labels for those fields and their totals:
- Select the labels together, i.e., not by clicking on each one individually
- Press and hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard, then
- Select the “Totals” amounts together, i.e., not by clicking on each one individually
Next, insert your chart.
You’ll find charts in the Insert tab of the Excel Ribbon, in the Charts section.
Select the chart you want or click on “Recommended Charts” to let Excel pick one for you.
To give it a little pizzazz, select one of several chart styles available.
That’s it! You’ve now created a simple goal tracker in Excel to help you keep up with your goals!
NEXT: Learn How to Make a Goal Thermometer in Excel
FYI, this tutorial was created using the desktop version of Excel in Microsoft 365.
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