How to Make a Net Worth Spreadsheet (Google Sheets or Excel)
By Cedar & Ledger
Your net worth is what you own minus what you owe. One number once is interesting; the same number every month is useful, because it shows whether paying down debt and saving are actually moving you forward. Here's how to build a monthly net worth tracker in about 20 minutes.
This is general information, not financial or investment advice.
Step 1: The accounts tab
Make a tab called Accounts. One row per account, with a type column:
| Account | Type | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Checking | Asset | Cash |
| High-yield savings | Asset | Cash |
| 401(k) | Asset | Retirement |
| Car (estimated value) | Asset | Property |
| Credit card | Debt | Credit card |
| Car loan | Debt | Loan |
| Student loan | Debt | Loan |
Keep values conservative: use a used-car guide's private-party value for a car, and skip furniture and electronics. If you own a home, use a cautious estimate and update it once or twice a year, not monthly.
Step 2: A column per month
To the right of Group, add one column per month (Jan 2027, Feb 2027 ...). Once a month, ideally the same day, type each balance. Enter debts as positive numbers; the formulas handle the subtraction.
Step 3: Totals
Under the table, add three rows. If balances for January are in column D and accounts are in rows 2–20:
- Assets:
=SUMIF($B$2:$B$20, "Asset", D2:D20) - Debts:
=SUMIF($B$2:$B$20, "Debt", D2:D20) - Net worth:
=D22-D23
Fill right across all months. Add change since last month with =E24-D24.
Step 4: Chart the trend
Select the month headers and the net worth row, then Insert > Chart > Line. Add assets and debts as two more lines if you like. The direction of the line matters much more than any single month; investment balances will bounce.
Step 5: Breakdown by group
On a small summary tab, total each group for the latest month with SUMIF on the Group column (Cash, Retirement, Property, Credit card, Loan). A pie or bar chart of that shows where your money sits and which debt is the biggest drag.
Example
| Jan | Feb | Mar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | $18,400 | $18,950 | $19,300 |
| Debts | $24,100 | $23,500 | $22,850 |
| Net worth | −$5,700 | −$4,550 | −$3,550 |
A negative net worth is common, especially with student loans or a new car loan. What matters is that the line goes up.
Tips
- Update monthly, in 10 minutes, on the same day each month.
- Round to the nearest $10; precision isn't the point.
- Don't count money you expect but don't have yet (a bonus, a refund).
- Review once a year as part of a year-end money review. For the basics, see how to calculate your net worth.
Want it ready-made?
Our Net Worth Tracker Spreadsheet ($5) has the accounts list, monthly balances, totals, trend and goal progress already built. Works in Google Sheets and Excel.
Made with AI assistance and reviewed before release.
Related template: Net Worth Tracker. Also see: Complete Household Money Bundle · Debt Snowball Tracker
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Try the free net worth calculator →
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Build a monthly net worth tracker in Google Sheets or Excel: accounts tab, a column per month, SUMIF totals, a trend chart and a breakdown by group.
What are the steps?
1) The accounts tab; 2) A column per month; 3) Totals; 4) Chart the trend; 5) Breakdown by group.
Want it ready-made?
Our Net Worth Tracker Spreadsheet ($5) has the accounts list, monthly balances, totals, trend and goal progress already built. Works in Google Sheets and Excel.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.