How to Make a Budget in Excel (simple monthly budget, step by step)

One sheet, two columns of numbers, one formula. It takes 15 minutes and you will actually use it.

Step 1: the layout

Type your own categories in A4 downward. Use round numbers for Plan; you’ll fill Actual through the month.

Step 2: the formulas

• B12: =SUM(B4:B11). Drag to C12.
• B13: =B2-B12. Drag to C13.
• D4: =B4-C4. Drag down to D11. Positive = under budget, negative = over.

Step 3: make overspending obvious

Select D4:D11 › Conditional Formatting › Highlight Cells Rules › Less Than › 0 › Light Red Fill.

Step 4: format

Select B2:D13 › Ctrl + Shift + 1 for commas. Bold row 1 and rows 12–13. Freeze row 1.

Step 5: next month

Right-click the sheet tab › Move or Copy › tick Create a copy. Rename it. Clear column C.

Check it worked

Left over (C13) = Income − every Actual. Change one Actual and watch C13 move.

Going further

A pie chart of column C shows where the money goes: select A4:A11 and C4:C11 (Ctrl for the second range) › Insert › Pie. Lesson: pie chart.