Book list with statuses
Columns: Book title, Author, Status (Reading / Finished / Dropped), Date started / finished.
Reading Tracker in Google Sheets and Excel — free download
A reading tracker is a free spreadsheet template where you log books with statuses, track pages/day, set yearly goals, rate books and get "what to read next" suggestions based on your interests. Works in Google Sheets and Excel, no sign-up required.
- FreeNo sign-upGoogle Sheets + Excel
Sound familiar?
- I buy books but never finish them and lose track of what I already read.
- I want to see my reading pace and whether I meet yearly goals.
- I need a "what to read next" list based on my interests.
- I want to import and export my reading list between devices.
What the template can do
Pages/day and pace tracking
Daily reading goal field and automatic calculation of current pace (pages per day / week / month).
Yearly goal and progress bar
Set a target number of books (e.g., 12) and a visual progress bar showing completed books.
Ratings and notes
1‑5 star rating per book and optional notes column for reviews or quotes.
"What to read next" suggestions
Based on your interests (genre, author, mood), the template suggests 3 books per row with a "Start" button.
CSV import/export
Import your existing reading list from a CSV file or export your reading data for backup or sharing.
How to use it — 5 steps
- 1
Open the "Make a copy" link for Google Sheets, or download the .xlsx and open it in Excel.
- 2
On the Settings sheet set your genre preferences and yearly goal — that is the only setup needed.
- 3
Log each book on the Data sheet: title, author, status and rating.
- 4
Track daily pages read to see pace and adjust goal.
- 5
Check the Dashboard weekly: goal progress and reading pace.
- 6
Press "Save progress" in the menu to keep changes.
Why a spreadsheet, not an app
Your data stays yours
The file lives in your Google Drive or on your computer. No account on someone else's service and no exporting of your data.
Transparent formulas
Everything is calculated by formulas you can open and edit. No closed code and no monthly fee for "analytics".
Works offline
The Excel version works fully without internet — on a plane, on the road, at a dacha.
What is included
- Google Sheets file with a “Make a copy” link and Apps Script macros
- Offline .xlsx version (Excel 2016+ / Microsoft 365, Windows and Mac) with a macro menu
- An Instruction sheet inside the file: a step-by-step start in your language
- 30 days of demo data so the dashboard comes alive right after copying
Why a reading tracker in a spreadsheet
A spreadsheet beats an app for one reason: you can see how your reading is counted. In an app, progress is a black box; in a sheet every formula is open and the logic can be adapted to you. Reading research keeps showing the same thing: regularly logging books reduces the chance of unfinished pile‑up, because the action becomes visible the same day instead of at year end.
Reading Dashboard: at a glance
Three dashboards show everything at once: Progress — yearly goal and books completed; Pace — current reading speed and days left to meet the goal; Next up — "What to read next" suggestions based on your interests. A top bar shows current status and rating distribution.
Mobile entry option
If you want to enter data from a phone: duplicate the Google Sheet, create a simple Google Form with fields: Book title, Author, Status (Reading/Finished/Dropped), Rating (1‑5), Pages read today. The form writes to the Data sheet, and the dashboard updates automatically.
Ready for scaling
The template includes 100 books out of the box. To track more, add books on the Data sheet and adjust the count in a few formulas. The dashboard will update automatically: goal progress and reading pace alerts.
Extensions
You can add a genre column for better filtering, or link books to a habit tracker (CSV export). The formulas are open — edit, copy or extend as you see fit.
Ready template
Everything described above is already set up in the Reading Tracker template: book list with statuses, pages/day tracking, yearly goal, ratings, "what to read next" suggestions, CSV import/export and a dashboard with 30 days of demo data. Download the .xlsx or make a Google Sheets copy — free and without sign-up.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it really free and without sign-up?
Yes. The download is direct: no form, no email, no trial period. The site runs on voluntary donations and advertising.
How is this better than a Goodreads-style app?
Does it work in Excel on Mac?
Yes, the .xlsx works in Excel 2016 and newer on Windows and Mac. VBA macros live in a separate ribbon menu; if VBA is unavailable, all analytics still work on plain formulas.
Can I use it from a phone?
Yes: enter data through Google Sheets on mobile, or through a duplicate Google Form. Mobile entry is verified against the mobile layout of Google Sheets.
Who can see my reading data?
Nobody. The file lives in your Google Drive account or locally on your computer. The site collects no data about the spreadsheet contents.
What if I reset the tracker?
Use the "Reset year" button on the Dashboard. You can restore from backup or a duplicate of the ready version.
How many books can I track?
The template includes space for 100 books, but you can add unlimited rows on the Data sheet and adjust the count in a few formulas.
Download the template and start using it today — it is free.