GETTING STARTED & NAVIGATION
Version 2025.01​
Copying the Templates
After requesting the templates, you'll receive an email with links to two Google Sheets templates:
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One includes sample data to help you explore how it works.
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The other is blank, ready for you to enter your own data.
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To copy a template, click the link in the email. Log into your Google account if prompted, then click the blue “USE TEMPLATE” button at the top right. This will create a copy in your Google account, viewable only by you or anyone you choose to share it with.
Navigation
You'll begin on the Welcome sheet, which provides key information to help you get started and set up. Follow the instructions there, and refer to this user guide for additional help, tips, screenshots, videos and troubleshooting.
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The workbook is organized into multiple worksheets, accessible via tabs at the bottom of the page. The sheets you'll use most often are on the left, with reports (the bulk of the sheets) in the middle. Less frequently used worksheets, such as those for the start or end of the year, are located further to the right.
Use the left and right arrows near the bottom right to navigate through the worksheets. Avoid using the side panel arrow on the far right. If you accidentally open the side panel, simply click the arrow again to collapse it.
You can also click the "hamburger" icon to scroll through and select sheets from a list. At the bottom of the list, you'll see some grayed-out "ADMIN" sheets. These are hidden and intended for extremely advanced users only.
You can rearrange the worksheets by clicking and holding a tab, then dragging it left or right.
Worksheet Colors
Each worksheet is color-coded for easy identification:
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Red is your journal.
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Yellow is for bank reconciliation.
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Blue is for contacts.
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Green are reports.
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Black are for inputting settings, funds, chart of accounts, and budgets at the start of the year.
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Purple are for generating donor tax statements at the end of the year.
Rename Your File
Finally, rename your file using the File menu.
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Note: If you don't see the Google Sheets menu bar, it may be hidden. Simply click the small arrow in the top right of your screen to reveal it.
Next, click File and select Rename to rename your workbook. A good format to follow is your organization's name, followed by the year you're tracking.
