What you will build

Group purchases by category to see where monthly expenses go. This lesson uses fictional sample data so you can reproduce each action.

Learning objective

Complete the steps using the dataset below, explain why the feature or formula is used, and recognize issues when inputs change.

Prepare the sample data

Paste this example as tab-separated values beginning at A1 on a new worksheet:

HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Practice in your own copy

Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.

Make a Google Sheets copy (access required) ↗View original

Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.

Complete expense dataset on the Example tab with A1:D5 selected.

Open the sample workbook in Google Drive (access required) ↗

Work through the example

Step 1: Create Expenses as a long-form list with one purchase per row.

Step 2: Store Amount as numbers and Category as a dropdown or consistent text.

Step 3: Create a summary area with category labels and a separate SUMIF calculation.

Formula to try

In the verified practice workbook, use H2 in the Formula result area for the formula below. Keep the source table unchanged and compare the displayed result with the checkpoint.

=SUMIF($B$2:$B$5,F2,$C$2:$C$5)
H2 selected with the SUMIF formula visible in the formula bar and a result of 55 for Food.

Checkpoint

DateCategoryAmountDescription
2026-09-01Food25Lunch
2026-09-02Transport12Bus
2026-09-03Food30Groceries
2026-09-04Utilities40Electricity

Each value must be in the intended column. If the entire dataset lands in one cell, undo, select A1, and paste the tab-separated data again.

With F2 = Food and the sample data unchanged, H2 must display 55. The formula in H2 is =SUMIF($B$2:$B$5,F2,$C$2:$C$5).

Common mistake and correction

Correction: return to the exact range and command named in the steps, then compare the live sheet with the Date, Category, Amount, Description source fields.

Independent practice

After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Add one new Food expense and expand the source range deliberately.

Key takeaways

  • ✓Complete “Expense tracker” using the visible Date, Category, Amount, Description sample so each action and the final state can be checked against the source data.
  • ✓Create Expenses as a long-form list with one purchase per row.
  • ✓Store Amount as numbers and Category as a dropdown or consistent text.
  • ✓If the result differs, repeat “Create Expenses as a long-form list with one purchase per row.” and then “Store Amount as numbers and Category as a dropdown or consistent text.”. Verify the working table still uses Date, Category, Amount, Description before changing source values.
  • ✓After following the example, complete this variation without editing the source data: Add one new Food expense and expand the source range deliberately.
QUICK CHECK

Check your understanding

Answer four questions about the practice sheet.

1. What is the correct first action in “Expense tracker”?
2. Which follow-up action belongs to “Expense tracker”?
3. What should you verify before “Expense tracker” is complete?
4. Which correction is appropriate if “Expense tracker” behaves unexpectedly?

Continue learning

Previous lesson: Habit tracker; Next lesson: Sales dashboard.