How to Create a Daily Task Tracker Using Excel

A daily task tracker helps you see what needs doing today, what is overdue and how much you have completed. Excel makes it easy to build one in a few minutes.

1. Step 1: Set up the columns

Create these headings: Task, Category, Priority, Due Date, Status and Notes. Select the range and press Ctrl + T to turn it into a table.

2. Step 2: Add drop-down lists

Use Data > Data Validation > List to create drop-downs:

• Priority: High, Medium, Low
• Status: To do, In progress, Done

3. Step 3: Colour-code priorities and status

Use conditional formatting to colour High priority tasks and grey out tasks marked Done. Your eye goes straight to what matters.

4. Step 4: Highlight overdue tasks

Add a rule with a formula such as =AND($D2<TODAY(), $E2<>"Done") to highlight overdue rows in red.

5. Step 5: Show today’s tasks

Filter the Due Date column to today, or use the FILTER function on a separate sheet to show only today’s open tasks.

6. Step 6: Track progress

Calculate the percentage completed:

=COUNTIF(Table1[Status], "Done") / COUNTA(Table1[Task])

Format it as a percentage and add a simple progress bar with data bars.

7. Make it a habit

• Spend five minutes each morning choosing today’s top three tasks.
• Update status as you go.
• Review at the end of the day and move unfinished tasks forward.

8. Prefer paper or PDF?

Some people focus better with a printed plan. Our Daily Planner Page and One-Page Checklist work alongside your spreadsheet.