To build a character sheet spreadsheet, pick a system and walk through character creation. Or start with my generic character sheet template and customize it for your game. I’ll walk through each step below.
Table of Contents
Character Sheet Spreadsheet Template
If you want a basic character sheet in Google Sheets, make a copy of mine and customize it for your game. This template is designed to be generic on purpose, so you can adapt it to Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, or any other tabletop system with different stats.
Get a free copy of the spreadsheet template
Quick start: make a copy, enter your character basics, add ability scores or attributes, and watch the sheet update automatically.
What this template does well
- Keeps your core stats and modifiers in one place
- Supports dynamic calculations, so when you change a stat, dependent values update
- Makes quick table play easier on mobile, since edits sync automatically
- Gives you a base you can extend with skills, inventory, spells, and EXP
Building a Character Sheet from Scratch
Let’s build a character sheet spreadsheet from scratch. The goal is a dynamic workbook that updates when you modify stats. I’ll use a D&D-style example because most readers recognize it, but the same approach works for many systems.
Think of this like session zero in spreadsheet form. You collect the character’s identity details, core stats, and any repeatable calculations you want to automate.
Step 1: Choose your system, then decide what to track
Start with the core stats your system uses. For D&D, that is strength, dexterity, constitution, intelligence, wisdom, and charisma. For other systems, it might be attributes, skills, pools, sanity, stress, bonds, tags, or something else entirely.
If you are not sure where to get starter stats, check the official rules or starter guide for your game. For Dungeons & Dragons, the Player’s Handbook is the most common reference.
Step 2: Add a reference tab for conversions and lookups
Many systems use derived values, like stat modifiers. The easiest way to support that in a spreadsheet is to create a reference tab, I call mine the engine tab. Put your conversion chart there, then pull results into the main character tab with a lookup.
Step 3: Build your modifier formula
I built stat modifiers using a lookup formula that references the engine tab. This is a clean method because you can swap in a different chart for a different system without rewriting the whole sheet.
If you want to use VLOOKUP, I strongly recommend an exact match so you do not get a surprise result later.
=VLOOKUP(B$9, Engine!A2:B31, 2, FALSE)If you prefer a more modern option, XLOOKUP is straightforward and tends to be easier to maintain when you expand your sheet.
=XLOOKUP(B$9, Engine!A2:A31, Engine!B2:B31, 0, 0)Here is the guide I used for the lookup method from another tab: How to VLOOKUP from another sheet in Google Sheets
Step 4: Confirm the sheet updates dynamically
Once your lookup is working, test it by changing a stat on your main sheet. When you adjust a score, the modifier should update automatically.
Formatting the character sheet
Once the math works, make it readable at the table. I like to highlight modifiers and make the highest values pop. Conditional formatting is perfect for that.
I used a color scale so the highest modifiers trend green and the lowest trend red. You can do that with Conditional formatting in Google Sheets. (I use this all the time).
I also standardized the font so the whole sheet feels consistent. If you want, you can set a default font in Google Sheets to speed up future templates. Here’s how to change the default font in Google Sheets.
Modifying the background
Google Sheets on desktop web does not offer an official built-in dark theme, but you can mimic a dark look by changing cell backgrounds and text colors. I used a dark gray background with lighter text so it stays readable.
Roll dice option
You might notice the enter roll cell. That lets players enter the result of a 20-sided die roll (1d20). The character sheet updates based on what you enter there.
For example, initiative can update when you enter a roll. In this sheet, initiative is the roll plus the dexterity modifier.
=F17 + C10In this example, F17 is the roll and C10 is the dexterity modifier.
Modifications and Improvements
This basic character sheet includes starter stats, but the real value comes from tailoring it to your system. Once you have the core layout, upgrades are mostly about convenience and reducing table friction.
What to include
If you are playing a dungeon crawler RPG, you may want to add:
- Hit points
- Armor class and defenses
- Weapons, attacks, and to-hit calculations
- Proficiencies, skills, and abilities
- Spells, spell slots, and spell attack bonuses
- Inventory and currency
- EXP and leveling milestones
A spreadsheet character sheet helps you track hit points, skill bonuses, and changes cleanly without marking up a physical page. It also makes it easy for a game master to review progress when you share the file.
Easy upgrades
One of my favorite upgrades is a dropdown menu for common weapons, armor, and treasure. It takes about 30 seconds to add a dropdown list, and it can reduce mistakes at the table.
If you need advice, here’s a guide on how to create a dropdown list in Google Sheets. That’s one of the easiest, and most powerful, upgrades you can make on these. You can also make dependent drop-down menus. So if you want to show only supplies that are available to a specific class, you can do it.
Some of the most powerful upgrades are the ones that calculate values in real time based on your choices. If you want a bespoke sheet, follow the same approach you used for modifiers and apply it to equipment, spells, and skills.
Games like Monster of the Week and City of Mist use different stats than D&D, but the spreadsheet approach still works. You can follow the same guide to build character sheets for any of these games.
Adding images
What would a character sheet be without an image to represent your character. I asked an image generator to make me a wizard, then added it to my sheet. Right now, Gemini has the best image generation features (but that could change).
To add your own image, go to the Insert menu, then choose Image, then Insert image over cells.
Benefits of an Online Character Sheet
When you build a character sheet in Google Sheets, your progress is saved in the cloud. That means you can update hit points on your phone at the table, then polish skills, inventory, and spells later on a laptop.
- Sharable: send one link to your group or game master
- Easy to update: quick edits, filters, and dropdowns
- Available anywhere: desktop, tablet, phone
- Cloud backups: your sheet is less likely to disappear between sessions
- Offline on mobile: you can access it offline on your mobile device when you enable offline files
It also includes comments, which can be helpful when you are building a campaign world together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free character sheet for roleplaying games?
Yes. You can copy my generic character sheet spreadsheet template for free and customize it for your system. The whole point is flexibility, it is a starting place you can shape into a character sheet that matches your rules.
Benefits of using Google Sheets for character sheets?
Google Sheets is great for character sheets because it is sharable, easy to update, and available anywhere. You also get cloud backups, and you can make it available offline on your mobile device when you enable offline access. That combination is hard to beat for table play and between-session planning.
Which types of character sheets are best suited for spreadsheets?
Spreadsheets shine in systems with quick math and repeatable calculations. If your game has modifiers, pools, derived stats, leveling thresholds, or a lot of equipment math, a spreadsheet can reduce mistakes and save time. Even narrative-heavy systems benefit from having a clean place to track what changes each session.
Can you build a spreadsheet for White Wolf systems?
Yes. You just need to modify this spreadsheet because White Wolf systems use different stats than D&D. Swap in the attributes and pools your game uses, then rebuild the engine tab to match your conversion rules. Once the structure is in place, it works well.
Is there a spreadsheet for indie RPGs?
Yes. You can update this template for many, many games. Indie systems often use unique mechanics, but that is not a dealbreaker, it just means you tailor the sheet. If you want something bespoke, follow the guide on this page and build it for any system you want.
What’s the best way to track EXP on a spreadsheet?
I like keeping EXP in two places. First, a single cell on the main character tab that shows current EXP and current level. Second, a small log tab where you record when EXP changes, why it changed, and the session date. The log keeps your progression honest, and the main cell keeps it fast during play. If your system levels at thresholds, add a small threshold table and use a lookup to display the next milestone automatically.
Is there a spreadsheet template for my specific game?
I have built a lot of character spreadsheets, but I cannot promise I have one for every game. The safer approach is to copy the generic template and customize it to your system. Once you understand the engine tab method, you can build for almost anything.
Can I use this for Pathfinder?
Yes. This generic template also works as a Pathfinder character sheet spreadsheet. Make a copy, then adjust the stats and derived values to match your edition and table rules.
Is this a D&D character sheet?
This is not an official Dungeons & Dragons character sheet. Dungeons & Dragons is the property of Wizards of the Coast LLC. I use a D&D-style stat setup here because it is familiar and easy to explain, but this spreadsheet is a generic template meant to be customized.
Can I use this for NPCs?
Yes. This template is especially handy for NPCs you expect to reuse, recurring allies, rival parties, and big villains. Duplicate the sheet per NPC, then keep the stats consistent across sessions without rewriting anything.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy this character sheet template. I enjoyed putting it together, and I’m excited to see what you build with it.
References
- Wizards of the Coast. Dungeons & Dragons Character Sheets. Accessed 2026-02-19. https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/character-sheets
- Paizo. Pathfinder Rules Downloads. Accessed 2026-02-19. https://paizo.com/pathfinder/rules/downloads