It is hard to monitor your cryptocurrency investments, especially when you have several coins distributed across different exchanges. Prices are always fluctuating, and it takes time to manually calculate your portfolio value. That is where a crypto portfolio tracker Excel sheet comes in very handy. Unlike most online software that has subscriptions or sends your data to third parties, an Excel tracker gives you full control over your investment data while keeping everything private and customizable.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain why Excel is a great choice for tracking crypto, compare free and paid template options, and provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to create your own automated tracker. As a beginner or experienced trader, by the time you finish reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to organize your crypto investments effectively using Excel.

Why Use Excel for Tracking Your Crypto Portfolio?

Excel has long been a favorite for financial tracking, and it’s no different with cryptocurrencies. Although there are many specialized crypto portfolio apps available, Excel has advantages that make it the default app for most investors.

One of the biggest benefits is complete ownership of the data. With web-based portfolio trackers, your Excel spreadsheet sits on your hard drive, so you don’t have to worry about exchange hacks or third-party data losses. And Excel accommodates complete customization—you can tweak formulas, develop new metrics, and redesign the layout to fit your unique needs.

Another advantage is offline access. The majority of crypto tracking applications require an internet connection, but with Excel, you can view your portfolio at any given moment, even when there is no Wi-Fi. This is particularly useful for investors who prefer to keep their holdings private or travel extensively to areas with poor connectivity.

Finally, Excel is inexpensive. In contrast to other advanced crypto tracker software that come with subscription costs, Excel (or an equivalent free alternative like Google Sheets) presents a capable solution at no extra cost. With proper setup, you can have prices updated automatically, calculate profit and loss, and even compile tax reports—all for nothing.

Free vs. Paid Crypto Portfolio Tracker Excel Templates

Not all Excel trackers are equal. Some are basic, free templates that need to be updated by hand, whereas others are advanced paid versions with live price feeds. Let’s dissect the best ones available.

Free Excel Templates

Free templates are best suited for novices or individuals with small portfolios. They typically include basic features, such as:

Manual entry fields for coin quantity and purchase prices.

Pre-set formulas to determine profits, losses, and portfolio distribution.

Simple charts to visualize performance.

Some popular free templates include:

Simple Sheets Crypto Tracker – A straightforward Excel and Google Sheets template that supports both stocks and cryptocurrencies.

Vertex42 Portfolio Tracker – A clean, easy-to-use template, though it lacks real-time price updates.

DIY Custom Trackers – If you’re comfortable with Excel, building your own allows for maximum flexibility.

The disadvantage of free templates is that they typically require manual price refreshes, i.e., you will need to input the latest prices yourself. But with a little basic understanding of Excel, you can insert free APIs (like CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap) to accomplish it automatically.

Paid Excel Templates

Serious traders can have additional features saving time and providing richer insights via paid templates. These may be:

Live price refreshes via API links.

Multi-exchange support (Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, etc.).

Capital gains tax reporting tools for calculations.

Sophisticated analytics such as historical performance monitoring.

Some popular paid ones are:

CryptoSheets – Binds real-time data and supports multi-exchange.

CoinTracking (Excel Export) – A powerful tool that supports tax reporting and trade analysis.

Blockpit Excel Integration – Focuses on tax compliance and automatic reporting.

Paid templates typically range from

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20to100, which makes them a worthwhile investment for serious traders who want to automate their workflow.

How to Build Your Own Automated Crypto Tracker in Excel

You don’t need to be an Excel expert to build a useful crypto portfolio tracker in Excel. Use this step-by-step guide to build one from scratch or customize a pre-built template.

Step 1: Structure Your Spreadsheet

Start by creating the following columns:

Coin Name (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana).

Amount Held (how many of each coin you have).

Purchase Price (the price per coin when you purchased it).

Current Price (can be entered manually or auto-pulled using API).

Total Invested (Amount Held × Purchase Price).

Current Value (Amount Held × Current Price).

Profit/Loss (Current Value – Total Invested).

Step 2: Automate Price Updates (Optional but Recommended)

It’s tedious to update prices manually. Rather, use a free API such as CoinGecko to auto-pull current data. Here’s how:

Allow Power Query in Excel (Data → Get Data → From Web).

Enter the CoinGecko API URL for the coins you are interested in.

Make the sheet refresh prices every now and then.

If APIs seem too complicated, you can just use Google Sheets with the =GOOGLEFINANCE() formula for basic price tracking.

Step 3: Add Performance Metrics

To make your insights more detailed, add:

Portfolio allocation percentages (how much contribution each coin has to your overall value).

24-hour change (to see gains/losses per day).

Historical performance charts (to track growth over time).

Step 4: Generate Reports for Taxes

Tax season is easier if your tracker includes:

Realized vs. unrealized gains.

Trade history logs (date acquired, sale price, etc.).

FIFO/LIFO calculations (for different accounting methods).

With these steps, you’ll have a fully functional crypto portfolio tracker that rivals many paid apps.

Limitations of Using Excel for Crypto Tracking

While Excel is powerful, it has some drawbacks compared to dedicated crypto apps:

No live alerts – Excel will not warn you of sharp price declines.

Manual trades syncing – Unlike apps that automatically transfer exchange data, Excel needs to be entered by hand.

Higher learning curve – New users may find APIs and formulas difficult.

If you are an active trader, software such as Koinly, Accointing, or Delta may suit real-time tracking better. But for long-term investors who prefer privacy and control, Excel is a perfect fit.

Final Verdict: Is a Crypto Portfolio Tracker Excel Sheet for You?

Excel is a good choice if you:

 Want total control over your data.

 Prefer a free or pay-once model.

Need offline access to your portfolio.

 Prefer to have your tracking setup customized.

Special crypto apps, however, may be the better choice if you:

 Are an active trader and need instant notifications.

 Do not want to work with APIs or formulas.

 Utilize several exchanges and wish for auto sync.