Monthly sales target tracker

What the monthly sales target tracker does

A target only helps if you check it. Enter a target for each month and the sales you achieved, and the tracker shows the difference, the percentage of the target reached and whether you are ahead or behind, with the year-to-date position at the top.

Who it is for

Shop owners, sales managers and freelancers who set monthly goals.

How to use the workbook

1. Enter the target for each month.
2. Enter the actual sales as each month ends.
3. Read the percentage of the target reached.
4. Adjust your plans for the months ahead.
5. Save a copy under a new name for each month or year, so earlier records stay as they were.

What is inside

• Target and actual for each month
• Difference and percentage reached
• Ahead or behind status
• Year-to-date totals
• Chart of actual sales by month

The workbook has these sheets: Instructions, Months, By month. The main table has the columns Month; Target; Actual sales; Difference; Reached; Status. Yellow cells are for you to fill in and grey cells calculate by themselves, so leave the grey cells alone. The example rows show how it works; type over them with your own entries.

Tips for getting it right

• Set targets from last year's sales plus a realistic growth.
• Review the result on the first day of the next month.
• Look for why a month missed, not only that it did.
• Reset the targets if the market changes.

Why keep this record

Running a business on memory works until it grows. Writing the numbers down turns opinions into facts you can compare month to month, and shows early which products, customers or costs deserve attention. Even a simple workbook, used every week, usually beats a sophisticated one that is opened once a year.

Questions people ask

Do I need to know Excel formulas? No. Type into the yellow cells and the rest is worked out for you. The formulas are visible if you want to see how a figure is reached.

Can I add rows or change the layout? You can add your own columns to the right and your own notes. If you insert rows inside a table, copy the grey formula cells down so the new rows calculate too.

Will it work on my phone or in Google Sheets? Yes for viewing and typing, but dropdown lists and the charts look best in desktop Excel or LibreOffice.

Keeping it safe and up to date

A plan is only as good as the numbers you put in. Start with honest estimates, update the workbook as real figures arrive, and compare the two so your next estimate is better. Save a dated copy each month so you can see how your thinking changed.

Read how to build a cash flow forecast for the wider picture. Free calculators that go with it: Turnover tax calculator. See more business templates or ask us for a custom one.

The workbook works in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets. It is a tool to help you work out and record figures, not tax, legal or accounting advice, and it is not affiliated with the Kenya Revenue Authority. If something does not work as described, contact us and we will put it right.

Related guides, calculators and templates

• Free calculator: Turnover Tax Calculator
• Guide: How to set up an M-Pesa till or Paybill for your business and account for it
• Guide: Tax on selling personal items and second-hand goods online
• Guide: How to protect your business from fraud and theft
• Another template: Multi-location sales tracker
• Another template: Seasonal sales and stock planner
• Another template: 12-month cash flow forecast

Need something different? Request a custom template, browse all guides or see every Excel template.