To build a simple small business budget in Excel, list your expected income and expenses by month, use SUM formulas for totals, subtract expenses from income to see what is left, and add a chart to spot trends. It takes one sheet and a few formulas. Our Microsoft Excel & Office Essentials class walks you through building a simple budget hands-on, online or in person.
Step 1: Set up your layout
Open a blank workbook. In column A, list your categories. Across row 1, list the months. Keep it simple:
- Income rows: sales, services, other income
- Expense rows: rent, supplies, phone and internet, software, insurance, marketing, fuel, fees
- Total rows: total income, total expenses, net
Bold your headers and freeze the top row and first column so labels stay visible as you scroll.
Step 2: Add your formulas
- Total income:
=SUM(B2:B4)under each month's income rows. - Total expenses:
=SUM(B7:B14)under each month's expense rows. - Net:
=B5-B15, which is total income minus total expenses. - Copy the formulas across to every month.
- Add a yearly total column with SUM across each row.
Format money cells as currency. Your row numbers may differ, so point the formulas at your own cells.
Step 3: Compare budget to actual
A budget is a plan. The real value comes from checking it. Add a second sheet for actual numbers with the same layout, then a third sheet that subtracts budget from actual. Use conditional formatting to turn overspending red. Now you can see, at a glance, where money is going.
Step 4: Add a chart
Select your months and your income and expense totals, then insert a column or line chart. A picture makes it easy to notice slow months, seasonal swings and categories that keep creeping up. It is also handy when you talk with a lender, partner or advisor.
When to move from Excel to bookkeeping software
An Excel budget is a planning tool. As your business grows, you will also need to record actual transactions, send invoices, pay bills and reconcile your bank account. That is bookkeeping, and many small businesses use QuickBooks for it. Our QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials class covers those skills, also for $297.
Thinking about starting a business? Our free Start Your Business Workshop is a good next step. Sign up on the enroll page.
Class details
- Class: Microsoft Excel & Office Essentials, 12 hours total.
- Evening cohort: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM Pacific, December 1 to 10, 2026.
- Saturday cohort: January 9 and 16, 2027, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Pacific.
- Format: in person at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, CA 92401, or live online from anywhere in the U.S.
- Price: $297.
- What you get: hands-on practice with Excel formulas, sorting, filtering, charts and a simple budget, plus Word documents, resumes and letters, Outlook email and calendar, and a portfolio spreadsheet project you can show employers.
How to enroll
- Apply online. It takes about 2 minutes.
- Pay with the Excel & Office Essentials pay link or see every option on the tuition page.
- We confirm your seat within 2 business days.
Not sure yet? Join our free Info Session & Orientation, online every Monday from 5:00 to 5:45 PM Pacific. Register on the enroll page to get the link.
FAQ
Do I need special software to make a budget?
No. Excel works well for a simple budget. The class teaches you the formulas, formatting and charts you need.
Should I use Excel or QuickBooks?
Many owners use both: Excel to plan and QuickBooks to record actual transactions. We offer a 12-hour class for each.
Can my staff take the class too?
Yes. Individuals can enroll directly, and employers can ask about team training or on-site cohorts on our partners page.
Questions? Call or text (909) 454-7076.