The power of the acbuy spreadsheet comes from tracking the right information. Too few columns and you miss critical details. Too many columns and your spreadsheet becomes cluttered and hard to use. Finding the right balance is key.
In this guide, we will break down every column you should consider for your acbuy spreadsheet. We will start with the essential columns that every buyer needs, then move to advanced columns for power users and resellers.
Essential Columns for Everyone
Every acbuy spreadsheet needs these core columns. They form the foundation of your tracking system and provide the most important information at a glance.
Product Name is the most obvious column. Be specific. Include the brand, model, and color. "Black Shoes" is useless. "Nike Air Force 1 Low Triple Black US 10" is perfect. The more specific you are, the easier it is to search later.
Category helps you organize your spending. Common categories include Shoes, Hoodies, T-Shirts, Jackets, Pants, Accessories, and Headwear. The acbuy spreadsheet lets you filter by category, which is incredibly useful for monthly reports.
| Column | Purpose | Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Identify item | Required | Be specific |
| Category | Organize items | Required | Use dropdowns |
| Price | Track cost | Required | Include product cost |
| Shipping | Track delivery | Required | Include all fees |
| Status | Monitor progress | Required | Use dropdowns |
| Order Date | Know timeline | Required | Auto-fill |
| Tracking Number | Find package | Required | Add links |
| Notes | Extra details | Optional | Seller info, links |
Financial Columns for Budgeting
Beyond the basics, financial columns help you understand where your money is going. These columns are essential for anyone who wants to control their spending.
Total Cost should be a formula that adds Price and Shipping. If you use an agent, add an Agent Fee column and include it in the total. Many buyers forget about agent fees and end up overspending by 10-15%.
Currency Conversion is critical for international buyers. Add an Exchange Rate column and a Converted Cost column. If you buy in CNY but pay in USD, the exchange rate affects your real cost significantly. The acbuy spreadsheet premium version auto-updates exchange rates.
Add a Budget Column
Set a monthly budget and add a column showing how much budget remains. Use the formula: =Budget - SUM(Total Cost).
Track Payment Method
Note whether you paid with credit card, PayPal, or Wise. Some methods have fees that affect your total cost.
Include Agent Fees
Do not forget to add agent service fees. They are typically 5-10% of your order total.
Record Actual Cost
Add a column for the amount you actually paid. Sometimes the final cost differs from the estimated cost.
Reseller Columns for Profit Tracking
If you buy to resell, you need additional columns to track profit and inventory. These columns transform your acbuy spreadsheet into a business management tool.
Sale Price is the price you plan to sell the item for. Profit is the difference between Sale Price and Total Cost. Profit Margin is the percentage: (Profit / Total Cost) * 100. These three columns tell you if an item is worth buying.
Inventory Status tracks whether the item is in stock, sold, or reserved. Days Listed counts how long the item has been available. This helps you identify slow-moving inventory that you should discount.
| Column | Formula | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Sale Price | Manual | Set selling price |
| Profit | =Sale - Total | Calculate profit |
| Profit Margin | =(Profit/Total)*100 | See ROI percentage |
| Inventory Status | Dropdown | Track stock levels |
| Days Listed | =TODAY()-Arrival | See slow sellers |
| Customer | Manual | Track buyers |
| Platform Sold | Dropdown | Where sold |
Shipping and Delivery Columns
Shipping columns are often overlooked but are critical for avoiding delays and disputes. The acbuy spreadsheet shipping columns help you stay on top of your deliveries.
Tracking Number should be a hyperlink to the carrier tracking page. Carrier Name should be a dropdown (DHL, EMS, FedEx, UPS, etc.). Shipping Method notes whether it is standard, express, or economy. Each method has different delivery times and costs.
Estimated Delivery Date and Actual Delivery Date help you identify carriers that are consistently late. If you notice that EMS always takes 5 days longer than estimated, you can switch to a faster carrier next time. This data saves you both time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many columns is too many?
Most users find 12-15 columns to be the sweet spot. Beyond 20 columns, the spreadsheet becomes hard to view on mobile screens.
Can I add columns later?
Yes. You can add columns at any time. The formulas will adjust automatically, and existing data will not be affected.
What columns do resellers need?
Resellers need: Sale Price, Profit, Profit Margin, Inventory Status, Days Listed, and Customer. These are the core business tracking columns.
Should I track the exchange rate?
Yes, if you pay in a different currency than the platform currency. Exchange rate changes can affect your actual costs by 5% or more.