Best Financial Planning Spreadsheets & Templates
Last updated: March 2026
Spreadsheets remain one of the most powerful and flexible financial planning tools available. Unlike apps that force you into a predefined workflow, a spreadsheet lets you build exactly the system you need for tracking your ETF investments, planning your budget, modeling future growth, and monitoring your progress toward financial goals. For detail-oriented investors, the control that spreadsheets provide is unmatched.
The challenge with spreadsheets is that building one from scratch requires significant time and expertise. Financial planning templates solve this problem by providing pre-built spreadsheets that you can customize to your situation. The best templates include formulas, charts, and instructions that let you get started immediately without any spreadsheet programming knowledge.
The templates on this list range from simple budget trackers to comprehensive financial planning systems. Most work in Google Sheets (free) or Microsoft Excel, and many are available at no cost. We have included templates for different aspects of financial planning, from budgeting and investment tracking to retirement projections and tax-loss harvesting records.
Our Top Picks
#1Bogleheads Investment Policy Statement Template
FreeA free template from the Bogleheads wiki that helps you create a written investment policy statement covering your target asset allocation, rebalancing rules, and investing principles. Having a written plan is one of the most powerful tools for staying disciplined during market volatility. This template walks you through each section with explanations and examples.
#2Google Sheets Portfolio Tracker Template
FreeMultiple free portfolio tracker templates are available for Google Sheets that use the GOOGLEFINANCE function to pull real-time ETF prices. These templates let you track holdings, calculate returns, and monitor allocation across multiple accounts. Fully customizable and accessible from any device with internet access.
#3Mad Fientist Financial Independence Spreadsheet
FreeCreated by the popular financial independence blogger, this free spreadsheet tracks your progress toward financial independence by monitoring savings rate, investment growth, and projected retirement date. It integrates well with ETF portfolio tracking and shows how changes in savings rate or investment returns affect your timeline.
#4Tiller Money Automated Spreadsheet
PaidTiller automatically feeds your banking and investment account transactions into Google Sheets or Excel. This gives you the flexibility of a custom spreadsheet with the convenience of automatic data entry. Templates are included for budgeting, net worth tracking, and investment monitoring. A small monthly fee covers the automation.
#5Vertex42 Financial Templates
FreeVertex42 offers a large collection of free financial spreadsheet templates for Excel and Google Sheets, including budget planners, debt payoff trackers, savings goal calculators, and investment tracking sheets. Each template is professionally designed with clear instructions for customization.
#6ETF Rebalancing Calculator Spreadsheet
FreeSeveral free spreadsheets are available specifically designed to calculate rebalancing trades for ETF portfolios. You enter your current holdings and target allocation, and the spreadsheet tells you exactly which ETFs to buy or sell and in what quantities to return to your target. Saves time and eliminates mental math errors.
How to Choose the Right Option
Start with the Bogleheads Investment Policy Statement template, regardless of which other tools you use. Having a written investing plan is the single most impactful step you can take for long-term discipline. For portfolio tracking, decide whether you want to build and maintain your own spreadsheet (Google Sheets templates) or prefer automated data entry (Tiller Money). If you are new to spreadsheets, the Vertex42 templates provide the most beginner-friendly starting point with clear instructions. If you are comfortable with formulas and want maximum control, start with a Google Sheets portfolio tracker template and customize it to your needs over time. The best financial spreadsheet is one you actually update regularly, so choose the option that fits your workflow and commitment level rather than the most feature-rich option.
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
Explore More Resources
Building your ETF investing knowledge requires multiple types of resources. Explore our other curated resource guides to find the tools, communities, and learning materials that fit your investing style.