Tracking your cryptocurrency investments doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, building your own Excel crypto tracker gives you full control over your portfolio data. With customizable fields, real-time price updates, and visual insights, a well-structured spreadsheet can serve as a powerful personal finance tool.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to create a functional and efficient crypto tracker using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets—no coding required.
Can You Track Cryptocurrency on Excel?
Yes, absolutely. Both Excel and Google Sheets support dynamic data integration, allowing you to track cryptocurrency prices, calculate profits and losses, monitor transaction history, and visualize market trends through charts.
If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Excel’s built-in STOCKS data type supports live pricing for major cryptocurrencies like:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Litecoin (LTC)
- Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
- Ripple (XRP)
To use this feature:
- Type the ticker symbol (e.g., BTC) into a cell.
- Convert it to a "Stock" data type via the Data tab.
- Pull in real-time price data with a simple formula like
=A1.Price, where A1 contains the BTC ticker.
👉 Discover how automated tools can streamline your crypto tracking process.
For altcoins not supported natively, you’ll need to pull data from external sources via APIs or third-party add-ons such as Cryptosheets, which connects directly to platforms like CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap.
How to Track Your Crypto Portfolio Effectively
There are several ways to monitor your crypto holdings. Here's a breakdown of the most common methods:
Use a Pre-Built Excel Crypto Tracker Template
Many free templates are available online that offer ready-to-use structures for tracking crypto portfolios. These often include:
- Transaction logs
- Profit/loss calculators
- Portfolio allocation charts
- Net worth summaries
While convenient, these templates require manual input of every transaction. Keeping them updated is time-consuming and prone to human error—especially if you trade across multiple exchanges or wallets.
Leverage Online Profit Calculators
Tools like crypto profit calculators help estimate gains from individual trades by inputting buy/sell prices and quantities. They’re quick and user-friendly but lack holistic portfolio visibility. You can't link them directly to your exchange accounts or get real-time balance updates.
Use Dedicated Portfolio Tracker Software
Advanced platforms automatically sync with your crypto wallets and exchanges, pulling in transaction data in real time. This eliminates manual entry and ensures accuracy.
These tools often include features like:
- Real-time portfolio valuation
- Tax gain/loss reporting
- Asset allocation analysis
- Historical performance charts
👉 See how seamless portfolio syncing works with modern crypto tools.
While some services charge for premium features, many offer free portfolio tracking—ideal for users who want automation without upfront costs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Build Your Own Excel Crypto Tracker
Creating a custom tracker gives you complete flexibility. Follow these steps to build one from scratch.
Step 1: Set Up Your Spreadsheet Structure
Open Excel or Google Sheets and create a new file.
Recommended column headers:
- Cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC, ETH)
- Date of Purchase
- Purchase Price (USD)
- Quantity Held
- Current Value (USD)
- Gain/Loss ($)
- Gain/Loss (%)
Use formatting options like bold headers, color coding, and frozen rows to improve readability.
Step 2: Fetch Live Cryptocurrency Prices
To automate price updates:
Option A: Use Excel’s STOCKS Data Type (Limited Coins)
- Enter cryptocurrency tickers in a column.
- Select the cells and click Data > Stocks.
- Use structured references like
=A2.Priceto pull current values.
Option B: Connect via API (Full Coin Coverage)
Use APIs from CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap:
- Sign up for a free API key.
- In Excel, go to Data > From Web, enter the API endpoint URL.
- Load JSON response and parse price data into your sheet.
- Use formulas to map live prices to your holdings.
Alternatively, install Cryptosheets for point-and-click integration.
Step 3: Input Your Transaction History
Manually enter each purchase or sale:
- Date
- Coin type
- Amount bought/sold
- Price per unit
- Fees (optional)
Use formulas to calculate:
Total Cost = Quantity * Purchase Price
Current Value = Quantity * Live Price
Profit/Loss = Current Value - Total Cost
ROI % = (Profit / Total Cost) * 100Apply these across rows for automatic calculations.
Step 4 (Optional): Visualize Trends with Charts
Turn raw data into insights:
- Highlight date and price columns.
- Go to Insert > Recommended Charts.
- Choose a line chart or area chart to show value trends over time.
- Add titles and axis labels for clarity.
You can also create pie charts to visualize asset distribution across different cryptocurrencies.
Step 5: Enable Automatic Data Refresh
Ensure your tracker stays current:
- In Excel: Go to Data > Queries & Connections > Properties, then enable Refresh data when opening the file.
- Set refresh intervals if supported by your data source.
- For Google Sheets, consider using Apps Script for scheduled API calls.
Step 6: Maintain and Analyze Regularly
Update your tracker weekly or after each trade:
- Add new transactions
- Review performance metrics
- Adjust allocations based on market movements
Regular analysis helps identify underperforming assets and optimize long-term strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get live cryptocurrency prices on Microsoft Excel?
Yes. With a Microsoft 365 subscription, Excel supports live pricing for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum using the built-in STOCKS data type. For other coins, use API integrations or third-party tools like Cryptosheets.
Can Google Sheets track crypto?
Absolutely. Google Sheets supports IMPORTJSON functions or Apps Script to pull cryptocurrency prices from public APIs. While it lacks native stock-like functionality, it offers greater flexibility for advanced users comfortable with scripting.
What is the top crypto portfolio tracker?
The best tracker depends on your needs. For automated syncing with exchanges and tax-ready reports, platforms like CoinLedger or Koinly are top choices. For full control and customization, a self-hosted Excel or Sheets tracker is ideal.
Does Excel have a portfolio tracker?
Excel doesn’t come with a pre-installed crypto portfolio tracker, but its powerful formula engine and data connectivity allow you to build one yourself. Templates and add-ons further simplify the setup process.
Is manual crypto tracking worth the effort?
Manual tracking is valuable if you prioritize privacy, customization, or learning financial modeling skills. However, it demands consistent maintenance. For frequent traders or those with multi-platform holdings, automated solutions save time and reduce errors.
How often should I update my crypto spreadsheet?
Ideally, update your tracker after every transaction. At minimum, review it weekly to reflect price changes and ensure accuracy in net worth calculations.
👉 Explore advanced portfolio analytics that go beyond spreadsheets.
Building your own Excel crypto tracker empowers you to understand your investments deeply while maintaining full ownership of your data. Though it requires initial setup and ongoing management, the insights gained are invaluable.
Whether you stick with manual tracking or eventually move toward automated tools, starting with a spreadsheet lays a strong foundation for smarter crypto investing in 2025 and beyond.
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