How to track billable hours and invoice clients in a spreadsheet

By AMCode. A simple method that works in Excel, LibreOffice or Google Sheets.

1. Keep one time log. One row per work session: date, client, description, hours, rate. Amount = hours x rate.
2. Keep a client list. Use a dropdown on the client column so names always match exactly.
3. Mark invoiced lines. Add an "Invoiced" column and set it to Y after sending, so no work is billed twice.
4. Build the invoice from the log. Filter the log by client and Invoiced = blank, sum the amounts, add tax if applicable, and set a due date from your payment terms.
5. Export to PDF and send. Record the invoice number in your log.
6. Round consistently. Pick 0.25h increments and stick to them.

Prefer not to build it yourself? The AMCode Freelancer Invoice & Time Tracker ($7) does steps 1-5 with formulas already set up. This page is general information, not accounting or tax advice.