GTBuy Spreadsheet Step-by-Step Tutorial for 2026
This tutorial covers every feature you need to master the gtbuy spreadsheet. Whether you are setting up your first column or building a multi-vendor dashboard, these steps will get you there without the guesswork.
Before You Start: One-Time Setup
Open a new Google Sheet. Name it something memorable like GTBuy 2026. Then duplicate our starter template or follow the column structure below. The key is consistency. Every future automation depends on your columns staying in the same order.
| Column | Data Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A: Item Name | Text | Nike Air Force 1 |
| B: SKU | Text | AF1-WHT-42 |
| C: Vendor URL | URL | vendor.com/item/123 |
| D: Cost | Currency | $55.00 |
| E: Sell Price | Currency | $120.00 |
| F: Profit | Formula | =E2-D2 |
| G: Margin % | Formula | =F2/D2 |
| H: Status | Dropdown | Ordered / Shipped / Received |
| I: Notes | Text | Slow vendor, 14-day ship |
Tutorial Part 1: Basic Data Entry
Create the dropdown list
Select column H. Go to Data > Data validation. Choose List of items and enter: Ordered,Shipped,Received,Issue,Sold. This prevents typos and keeps your filter clean.
Add profit formulas
In cell F2, enter =E2-D2. Copy this down the entire column. Do the same for margin in G2 with =F2/D2. Format both as currency and percentage respectively.
Color-code by status
Select column H. Go to Format > Conditional formatting. Add rules: text contains Ordered = yellow fill, Shipped = green fill, Issue = red fill. Now your pipeline is visual.
Tutorial Part 2: Filtering and Sorting
Once you have fifty rows, scrolling becomes painful. Select row 1, go to Data > Create a filter. Now every column has a dropdown arrow. Click the Status filter and show only Issue items to find problems instantly. Sort by Profit descending to see your best margins at the top. This alone saves thirty minutes per week.
Tutorial Part 3: Vendor Comparison Table
Create a second sheet named Vendors. List each vendor, their average ship time, return policy, and your total spend. Use =AVERAGEIF to calculate average ship time per vendor based on your main sheet data. This turns your purchase history into vendor intelligence.
Tutorial Part 4: Mobile Quick-Check
Install the Google Sheets app. Pin the sheet to your home screen. Create a bookmark view that shows only columns A, H, and I using a filtered view. Now you can check order status in five seconds while walking into a meetup or warehouse.
Ready to automate? Our automation guide shows how to connect APIs and auto-import tracking numbers.
Read Automation GuideWhy do my formulas show #REF errors?
You probably deleted a row that a formula referenced. Use absolute references like $D$2:$D$1000 in your summary formulas to prevent this.
Can I import data from a CSV?
Yes. Go to File > Import. Map your CSV columns to the sheet columns. This is the fastest way to migrate from an old tracking system.
Internal Links: Return to the GTBuy Spreadsheet homepage, explore our complete guide, or start learning in the course hub.