How to Create an Inventory List in Microsoft Excel: Step-by-Step Guide

Download Article

A tutorial for creating an inventory list from scratch or a template in Microsoft Excel

Written by Kyle Smith

Last Updated: September 8, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Using a Template
|
• Creating from Scratch
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Trying to keep track of your inventory using Excel? There are a couple easy ways to go about this task — you can use a pre-formatted inventory list template to do this, or you can manually create your sheet. This wikiHow guide shows you how to manage your business' inventory using an Excel spreadsheet on a Windows or Mac computer.

Best Ways to Make an Inventory List in Excel

• To use a template, click the "New" tab in Excel and search for "inventory" in the search bar.
• To create your own template, start a new spreadsheet and add column headers.
• Columns can include the SKU, item name, quantity, and unit price for items.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Template

Download Article

1. 1
   Click the New tab. It's an option in the left menu. There are plenty of great template options for keeping inventory and controlling inventory for your business.

   • On Mac, first click File in the upper-left corner, then click New from Template… in the drop-down menu.
2. 2
   Click the search bar. It's at the top of the Excel New tab, under the Blank workbook button. It will say "Search for online templates."
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Search for inventory list templates. To do so:

   • Type inventory into the search bar at the top of the page.
   • Press ↵ Enter. This will bring up a list of templates for inventory management.
4. 4
   Select a template. Click the inventory template that best suits your needs. Its preview page will open.

   • Each inventory list template offers different features. If you don't like the template you've selected, press Esc to return to the templates page.
5. 5
   Click Create. It's to the right of the template's preview window.
6. 6
   Wait for your template to load. This may take a few seconds. Once the template is open, you can proceed.
7. 7
   Enter your inventory information. To change a pre-filled cell, double-click it, delete the number or word there, and enter your item's information. While your selected template may have slightly different options, every inventory list should include the following options:

   • Item Number - An item's inventory (SKU) number.
   • Item Name - An item's descriptive name.
   • Item Cost - The cost of one item.
   • Number in Stock - The quantity of an item in your inventory.
   • Net Value - The total value of an item's stock.
8. 8
   Add an image for each item. You can add a picture of each inventory item. These images will go in a new "Images" column. To add images:

   • Go to the Insert tab and select Illustrations > Pictures > This Device.
   • Click the image file and then click Insert.
   • Right-click (Windows) or ctrl-click (Mac) the image and select Format Picture.
   • Click the Size & Properties tab button > click the Properties drop-down > select Move and size with cells.
   • Drag the size anchors on the image to adjust its size to what you need for your inventory.
   • Adjust the row and column width for your image column to fit the image.
9. 9
   Save your work. To do so:

   • Windows:
     • Click File and then click Save As.
     • Navigate to the location where you want to save the file.
     • Type a name for the document (e.g., "Inventory List") into the "File name" text box.
     • Click Save.
   • Mac:
     • Click File and then click Save As.
     • Type a name for the document (e.g., "Inventory List") into the "Save As" field.
     • Select a save location by clicking the Where box and clicking a folder.
     • Click Save.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating from Scratch

Download Article

1. 1
   Click New blank workbook. This box is in the upper-left side of the Home tab in Excel. If you're trying to maintain inventory accuracy, a custom-made spreadsheet can go a long way!
2. 2
   Create your inventory list headers. In the following cells, enter the following headers:

   • A1 - Item Number
   • B1 - Item Name
   • C1 - Item Cost
   • D1 - Number of Items
   • E1 - Net Value
   • F1 - Image (optional)
3. 3
   Adjust the column widths. Click the space between two column letters (e.g., A and B) at the top of the sheet, then drag the mouse to the right to widen the column.
4. 4
   Enter an item's inventory number. To do so:

   • Click cell A2.
   • Type in your item's inventory number (e.g, 123456).
   • Press ↵ Enter.
5. 5
   Add an item's name. Click cell B2, and then enter the item's official name (e.g., Cable ties).
6. 6
   Enter the item's cost per unit. Click cell C2, then enter the item's individual cost (e.g., 4.99).
7. 7
   Add the total number of that item that you have on-hand. Click cell D2, then enter the number of items that you have in stock (for example, if you have 80 cable ties on-hand, you'd enter 80).
8. 8
   Enter the net value formula. To do so:

   • Click cell E2.
   • Type =C2*D2 into the cell.
   • Press ↵ Enter. You should immediately see the calculated net value appear in the cell.
   • You can repeat this general formula for every cell in the "Net Value" column—just make sure that you replace C2 and D2 with the correct cells (for example, if you're multiplying values in cells C10 and D10, you'd use those cells instead of C2 and D2).
9. 9
   Add the rest of your items to the inventory list. Repeat the above process for each item in your inventory. You'll assign one item to each row until your list is full. You're off to a great start developing an inventory system for your company.
10. 10
    Add an image for each item. You can add a picture of each inventory item. These images will go in a new "Images" column. To add images:

    • Go to the Insert tab and select Illustrations > Pictures > This Device.
    • Click the image file and then click Insert.
    • Right-click (Windows) or ctrl-click (Mac) the image and select Format Picture.
    • Click the Size & Properties tab button > click the Properties drop-down > select Move and size with cells.
    • Drag the size anchors on the image to adjust its size to what you need for your inventory.
    • Adjust the row and column width for your image column to fit the image.
11. 11
    Save your work. To do so:

    • Windows:
      • Click File and then click Save As.
      • Navigate to the location where you want to save the file.
      • Type a name for the document (e.g., "Inventory List") into the "File name" text box.
      • Click Save.
    • Mac:
      • Click File and then click Save As.
      • Type a name for the document (e.g., "Inventory List") into the "Save As" field.
      • Select a save location by clicking the Where box and clicking a folder.
      • Click Save.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  How do i make labels of inventory items?

  

  Kyle Smith
  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

  

  Kyle Smith

  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Expert Answer

  To make labels for your items, you'll need to either contact a 3rd-party labeling company or make your labels in-house. A 3rd-party labeling company is a good option if you have medium to high product volume and require professional labels. Making the labels manually is good for low volume production.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
• Question

  which will be the formula to know quantity limit to reorder and restock?

  

  Kyle Smith
  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

  

  Kyle Smith

  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Expert Answer

  You can use the IF function in a new column to see when you need to reorder products. For example, IF([quantity] < [stock limit], "reorder", "don't reorder yet").

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 3 Helpful 13
• Question

  Can I add a photo, video and map for each item?

  

  Kyle Smith
  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

  

  Kyle Smith

  wikiHow Technology Writer

  Expert Answer

  You can add a photo and map using Insert > Illustration > Pictures > From Device. To add a video, you can add a link to an external video for reference.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Next, check out how to easily calculate inventory turnover.
  Thanks

  Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
• You can add another sheet to your workbook by clicking ＋ in the lower-left side of the page.
  Thanks

  Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How to

Move Columns in Excel: Rearrange with 2 Easy Methods

How to

Create a Graph in Excel

How to

Prepare Amortization Schedule in Excel

How to

Merge Cells in Microsoft Excel: A Quick Guide

How to

Unprotect an Excel Sheet

How to

Unhide All Rows and Columns in Microsoft Excel

How to

Use If‐Else in Microsoft Excel: Step-by-Step Tutorial

How to

Insert Pictures in Excel That Automatically Size to Fit Cells

How to

Create a Mortgage Calculator With Microsoft Excel

How to

Show Hidden Columns in Microsoft Excel & Unhide Column A

How to

Fix Ethernet Doesn't Have a Valid IP Configuration on Windows

3 Easy Ways to Freeze Panes to Lock Columns or Rows in Excel

How to

Change from Lowercase to Uppercase in Microsoft Excel

How to

Make a Spreadsheet in Excel

Advertisement