How to create check register balance in Excel

Check register balance

Excel allows a user to calculate a check register balance using the simple formula. Current balance is calculated when all deposits are summed and all withdrawals are subtracted. This step by step tutorial will assist all levels of Excel users in calculating a check register balance.

Figure 1. The result of the formula

Syntax of the Formula

The generic formula is:

=previous_balance + deposit - withdrawal

The parameters of the formula are:

previous_balance – a balance from the previous period
deposit – a cash income
withdrawal – a cash withdrawal.

Setting up Our Data for the Example

Let’s look at the structure of the data we will use. In column B, we have dates, column C we have descriptions of deposit or withdrawal. In column D, there are deposits, while in column D, we have withdrawals. Finally, in column E, we want to get a current balance.

Figure 2. Data that we will use in the example

Calculating the Check Register Balance

In our example, we want to get the current balance for 1/8/2019, in the cell F4. Therefore, we must take in count the previous balance from F3 and deposit and withdrawal from D4 and E4.

The formula looks like:

=(B3 - C3)/B3

The parameter previous_balance is the cell F3. The cell D4 is the deposit, while E4 is the withdrawal.

To apply the formula, we need to follow these steps:

Select cell F4 and click on it
Insert the formula: =(B3 - C3)/B3
Press enter
Drag the formula down to the other cells in the column by clicking and dragging the little “+” icon at the bottom-right of the cell.

Figure 3. Calculating the check register balance

The previous balance is $1,500, there are no deposits for 1/8/2019 and the withdrawal is $200. Therefore, the balance is $1,300 in the cell F4.

Most of the time, the problem you will need to solve will be more complex than a simple application of a formula or function. If you want to save hours of research and frustration, try our live Excelchat service! Our Excel Experts are available 24/7 to answer any Excel question you may have. We guarantee a connection within 30 seconds and a customized solution within 20 minutes.

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Another blog reader asked this question today on Excelchat:

I am creating a checkbook register, columnD is deposits, Column E is withdrawal, columnF is balance, how do i get a running total in the balance column

An Excelchat Expert solved this problem in 13 mins!

Trying to build a budget and check register on excel. Simply put I am wanting to make it where when I put the word "groceries" for example in my check register I want it to automatically add that to my spent money on my budget under groceries. So I want to only mess with my check register while automatically updating my budget tab.

An Excelchat Expert solved this problem in 20 mins!

I have a spreadsheet (a check register) that I have used for years. Suddenly the balance column fill down does not calculate. When I pull down the corner, the formula is correct but the results are incorrect. It puts in the amount of the cell I pulled down.

An Excelchat Expert solved this problem in 22 mins!