Creating a sample spreadsheet template is not something most people want to do. It does take some effort to write a simple spreadsheet, and even then, many of us feel inadequate. Many fail to create effective spreadsheets because they just do not know how to do it.
One reason why so many people lack the expertise to create templates is that most don’t realize that templates are not difficult to create. The only secret is learning how and when’s of creating templates. Some things you must consider include;
Content of spreadsheet: The content of your spreadsheet will determine if you can create a template. It may be best to start with simple sheets and add more content as your skill level increases. Have basic cell formatting already in place. When you get to advanced content such as expense reports, make sure you have the formatting tool ready to go. Many companies rely on a template made by spreadsheet experts to help their staffs with their expense reports.
Formatting software: If you are unsure about how to format and edit text, then you should be using a format and editing software to format your text. This will eliminate any errors that you may have made. Such software will provide you with the format tools you need to easily format your cells.
New template: When creating a new spreadsheet, you should always do a template refresh on your old template. This will make your sheet easy to read and make it more efficient. There are many benefits to doing this, and it will save you time when updating or creating new sheets.
Use necessary resources: You should always be sure to use the correct number of sheets and columns for your spreadsheet. If your sheets and columns are not the right sizes, it will require more room in your Word, Excel or PowerPoint file, and may cause slower work speeds. By using the correct numbers of sheets and columns, you will be able to create an accurate template.
Accessibility: The template you choose should be easy to navigate, which includes being available in all the popular file formats. The templates should also be provided without date or obsolete features, which will make it difficult to use. Most spreadsheet templates can be used to replace a variety of other spreadsheet tools such as Microsoft Works and others.
Choosing the right template for your needs will increase your productivity, and leave you with a spreadsheet that is easy to read, and ready to use. As long as you follow these tips, you will find templates that are easy to create and adapt to your specific needs.
