Forgetting important items when you go shopping? Time to start using a Google Sheets grocery list template. We made one for you to use, and we’ll describe how you can build one yourself.
Remember, you’ll need a Google account to use it. Just sign in and make your copy. Then, you can access it anywhere you have internet (even at the store on your phone). Handy!
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Why Should You Use Google Sheets to Create a Household Shopping List Template
Here are some of the reasons why you should use Google Sheets to create a simple grocery list template:
- You can use it on multiple devices. As Google Sheets saves spreadsheets on the cloud, you can access your grocery list from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. You can use your laptop to create an organized grocery list template at home. Then you can access it on your phone when you go shopping by using the Google Sheets app.
- It’s easy to use and set up. Chances are that you’ve already used a spreadsheet program before. Being familiar with Google Sheets means you won’t have to look for specific apps for your learn the basics. You don’t need to create a template from scratch; you can look online for a sample grocery list template.
- You can print the grocery checklist. Only some people want to use their phones when going out shopping. Luckily, you can print out the spreadsheet.
- You can share it with family tree. One feature that distinguishes Google Sheets from other grocery list creators is shareability. You can share your shopping list template with other people with the click of a few buttons. For instance, your partner can easily add something to the list while you’re at the store.
- It’s free to use. Google Sheets is free to use for individuals, which means all you need to do to create a customizable grocery list template is to have a Google account for use in Google Sheets.
Related:Â Free Google Sheets Inventory Template for 2024 + How to Use
How to Create a Basic Shopping List Template in Google Sheets
Let’s take a look at how you can use Google Sheets to create a grocery list format spreadsheet:
- The first thing you need to do is open Google Sheets and create a new spreadsheet. Do this by clicking on the Blank option under Start a new spreadsheet or heading to docs.new.
- Add the name for the spreadsheet template in the textbox towards the top of the spreadsheet.
- Now, for the first row of the cells, add headers representing some of the categories of the items. For example, you can add labels like Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, Dairy, and others for food-related items. You can also apply formatting to ensure that this row of cells stands out from the rest.
- Now, add the items you want to buy in their respective columns and a row for the number of items you wish to purchase.
- To make sure the grocery list template by aisle is easy to use, you can also add checkboxes. Do this by clicking on the cell, then clicking on Insert, and then Checkbox.
- Add final touches to the spreadsheet, like adding borders and fill colors for the cells.
You can also format the checkboxes. Note that these are just true/false statements in a column on your sheet. They’re pretty easy to use on a mobile device, so you can check them off while you’re at the store. That’s how I use it!
I made this spreadsheet, and you can access the template for free.
Tips for Creating a Grocery List
Here are some tips to help create a helpful grocery list for your shopping runs.
Plan the Meals
People working jobs and taking care of their families often get into the habit of eating junk food or ordering food, especially if they’re looking to improve their diet. Meal planning not only makes sure that you’re eating well but also leads to a healthy lifestyle.
Planning your meal also saves you money by ensureing that you don’t spend your money on getting extra food items that you won’t use later on. If you’re looking to plan your meals, then make sure to check out our meal planning spreadsheet template for Google Sheets.
Divide Everything Into Sections
At this point, you know what ingredients you need to ensure your daily meal plan is fulfilled. It will make you more efficient around the grocery store if you divide things into a free printable grocery list by aisle template.
Add the Quantities and Recheck Your List
Once you’re done adding items to your grocery shopping list, go through your meal plans and add the quantity accordingly. Make sure you enter the amount correctly. You don’t want to under-order and have to return to the store or overshop and not have enough for your recipes.
If you have people coming over, you may need to alter the meal plan and the quantity of the items you need to buy. You can also check to see if there are any ongoing discounts so you can get some things in bulk and store them for later use.
Add Price Tags
One excellent budget planning tip is to add a budget calculator right into the spreadsheet (and you know how much we love calculators. . . we even made our own golf handicap spreadsheet!). Doing this can be a bit time-consuming, but it is sure to pay off in the end if you do it. Keep the receipts from your previous shopping visits and enter the prices into the spreadsheet. You can also add all the values to get the predicted bill before you go out grocery shopping.
This will ensure that you don’t go overboard. Even if you do, you can adjust your meal plans to ensure the total bill won’t cross your budget.
Add Coupons in Notes
When creating a grocery list, if you have any coupons, you can add them in a notes section in your spreadsheet and use them during checkout. It can seem like a hassle, but once you start saving coupons, you’ll save a lot of money.
Free Grocery List Templates
If you don’t want to go through the process of creating a template, we made two free Google Sheets templates. We made them clean and straightforward. While we love spreadsheets, we don’t expect you to be an expert. Click either link to access your a copy of your own.
Elements in the Drop Down Grocery List Template
The drop-down list template is divided into two separate sheets. The second is the Datasheet, where you can add the items you wish to buy. You should fill this in when you’re creating the grocery list. Add all the things you intend to purchase. This includes the items you need and those you don’t.
The first sheet is the List sheet. This spreadsheet is the actual grocery list you will use for your shopping. Here, you will only be adding the items you need to buy the next time you go shopping.
When you open the spreadsheet, you will be greeted with the List sheet. Here, you will find the familiar elements of the grocery list. Let’s take a look at some of them.
- The cells in the Item column contain drop-down menus that will include all the items you specify. All you have to do to add an item is to click on the empty drop-down and select the item you wish to add.
- The next column allows you to select the Quantity of the items you wish to buy. This cell requires a text or a number input. You can simply add the number of packs you want to buy for packaged items. You can add measurements like 500g or 1.2 kg for measured items.
- The next is the Added column. The cell here contains a simple checkbox you can toggle on or off as you go through the list and add items to the cart.
- The last column is for any additional Notes you wish to add to help you remember important things as you go through the list.
The second sheet is the one where you are going to add all the Data. Simply write all the items you need to buy, which will make them appear in the Item drop-down menu in the List sheet. If you don’t see the added items when you click on the drop-down menu, then simply refresh the page, and the list should automatically be updated.
Switching between the two sheets is easy and can be done with a simple click. To do this, click or tap on the sheet’s name in the bottom tab to switch between the two spreadsheets.
Wrapping Up Your Grocery List
Hopefully, our Google Sheets grocery list template guide provided you with everything you need to make your next trip to the shops much easier. If you liked these templates and guides, check out some of our other handy templates and guides in the related section below.
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