If the word ‘spreadsheet’ makes you picture rows of numbers and complicated formulas, this guide is here to change that impression.
A Google Sheets planner is not a financial spreadsheet. It is a digital planner that lives in your Google Drive — accessible on any device, always saved, easy to update, and designed to be used, not decoded.
You do not need to know how spreadsheets work. You just need to know how to type.
If you have a Google account, you already have access to Google Sheets. Open Google Drive (drive.google.com), find or upload your planner file, and open it. That is all the setup you need.
Why Google Sheets Works Well as a Planner
Google Sheets has a few qualities that make it particularly good for planning and organisation:
- It is always accessible — open it in any browser on any device, no app download needed
- It saves automatically — no risk of losing your data
- It is easy to edit — click a cell, type, press Enter
- It can be shared — useful for household planning with a partner
- It does not require a subscription — Google Sheets is free to use
- It is flexible — a well-designed template can be adapted to your needs without technical knowledge
For ADHD adults and busy people who already spend time at a laptop or desktop, a Sheets planner has a particular advantage: it lives in the same digital space as everything else. No separate app to remember, no new login to manage.
What Is a Google Sheets Planner?
A Google Sheets planner is a pre-designed template with different tabs or sections for different planning needs. Depending on the planner, it might include:
- A weekly or daily view
- A task list or to-do tracker
- A habit tracker
- A brain dump section
- A bills or subscription tracker
- A routine planner
- A notes or reference area
Each tab is a different ‘page’ of the planner. You navigate between them by clicking the tab names at the bottom of the screen.
How to Open and Use a Google Sheets Planner
Step 1: Access your planner
After downloading a Google Sheets planner, you will receive a file (usually a .xlsx or .gsheet file) or a link to a shared template. If it is a file, upload it to your Google Drive. If it is a link, it will open directly in Sheets.
Step 2: Make a copy (important)
Before editing, go to File > Make a copy. This creates your own editable version in your Google Drive. You can name it whatever you like.
Step 3: Navigate the tabs
Look at the bottom of the screen for the tab names. Click each one to explore what the planner includes. Most well-designed planners have a ‘Start here’ or ‘Overview’ tab with instructions.
Step 4: Fill it in
Click any cell you want to edit. Type your content. Press Enter or Tab to move to the next cell. That is genuinely all there is to it for most planner use.
Step 5: Bookmark it
Add your planner to your browser bookmarks so it is always one click away. This is one of the most important steps — a planner you open easily is a planner you actually use.
What You Do Not Need to Know
You do not need to know how to:
- Write formulas (a good planner handles any calculations for you)
- Format cells or change fonts
- Use Google Sheets functions
- Understand data ranges or pivot tables
If you need to change anything structural, most planners include instructions. But for everyday planning use, you will spend 99% of your time just clicking cells and typing.
Google Sheets vs Other Planner Options
| Option | Best for | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Google Sheets planner | Laptop/desktop users, flexible planning | Any browser, free |
| Web app planner | More guided structure, reminders | Any browser |
| Printable planner | Prefer handwriting, no screen | Print at home |
| Planner app | Mobile-first, reminders | Phone/tablet app |
Structured Space Google Sheets Planners
The Structured Space range includes Google Sheets planners designed for people who want something calm and easy to use — not something that requires a tutorial to get started.
The ADHD Life Planner is a Google Sheets planner with a brain dump section, weekly planning, habit tracking, and daily reset — available in a Gentle Edition and a Comprehensive Version.
The Bills & Subscription Tracker is also available in a format compatible with tablet use and print, making it easy to track payments and renewals without a complex setup.
If you prefer a browser-based option with more guided features, the Simple Life Admin Planner Web App and the ADHD Life Planner Web App are both available as fully-featured web applications.
Open Google Drive (drive.google.com) and create a blank Google Sheet. Add three column headers: Task, Due Date, Done. Type in three things you need to do this week. You have just made your first planner. Then, when you are ready for something more complete, explore our ready-made ADHD Life Planner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to use Excel or spreadsheets to use a Google Sheets planner?
No. A well-designed Google Sheets planner is built so that you just click cells and type. You do not need to know any formulas, formatting, or spreadsheet functions. If you can use a word processor, you can use a Google Sheets planner.
Can I use a Google Sheets planner on my phone?
Yes. Google Sheets is available as a free app on iOS and Android, and also works in a mobile browser. The experience is better on a tablet or laptop, but it is usable on a phone too.
Is Google Sheets free?
Yes. Google Sheets is free to use with a Google account. You get 15GB of free storage with Google Drive, which is more than enough for planners and documents.
What is the difference between a Google Sheets planner and a Notion planner?
Google Sheets planners are simpler and more familiar — they look like a spreadsheet, which many people are already comfortable navigating. Notion planners offer more features and a more app-like experience but have a steeper learning curve. For low-friction planning, Sheets is often the better starting point.
Can I share a Google Sheets planner with someone else?
Yes. Google Sheets has built-in sharing. You can give a partner, housemate, or family member view or edit access so you can use the same planner together.
Ready to try a Google Sheets planner designed for calm, everyday planning? Explore the ADHD Life Planner by Structured Space — a simple, ADHD-aware planner available in two versions to suit how you like to plan.