How to create a task tracker in Excel
You can watch a video tutorial here.
The spreadsheet format of Excel lends itself to creating different types of lists. One list that is used both professionally and personally is a list of tasks. Microsoft Office provides templates that you can use or you can create your customized tracker. Using the task tracker you can define a list of tasks and then track them to completion.
Option 1 – Create your tracker
Step 1 – Define the columns
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-1-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x284.png)
- Define the columns by giving the column headers:
- No.
- Task description
- Priority
- Due date
- Status
Step 2 – List the tasks
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-2-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x287.png)
- List out the tasks to be done
- Assign a priority for each task
- Fix the due date for each task
Step 3 – Open the Data Validation box
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-3-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x299.png)
- Select the cells in the ‘Status’ column
- Go to Data > Data Tools
- Expand the Data Validation menu
- Select Data Validation
Step 4 – Create the list
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-4-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x691.png)
- Select the Settings tab
- Under Allow: select ‘List’
- Enter the values for Source: Not Started,In Progress,Completed
- Click OK
Step 5 – Select the values for the ‘Status’ column
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-1-Step-5-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x336.png)
- For each task, select a value from the dropdown for the ‘Status’ column
Option 2 – Use a template
Step 1 – Find the template
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-2-Step-1-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x560.png)
- Go to https://templates.office.com/
- Type ‘task tracker’ in the Search box
- Press Enter
Step 2 – Choose a template
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-2-Step-2-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x508.png)
- Select the ‘Track My Tasks’ template
Step 3 – Download the template
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-2-Step-3-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x533.png)
- Click Download
- After the file has been downloaded, click on the up arrow to expand the menu
- Click Open
Step 4 – Enable the file for editing
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-2-Step-4-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x438.png)
- Click the Enable Editing button to use the sheet
Step 5 – Use the tracker
![](https://spreadcheaters.com/wp-content/uploads/Option-2-Step-5-–-How-to-create-a-task-tracker-in-Excel-1024x330.png)
- Follow the instructions to use the tracker