Using Excel for Scheduling

NOTE-- We retired the entire MacNail construction software package back in 2000 or 2001, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction management software. Like MacNail, it was developed for builders, remodelers and other small businesses. Goldenseal is now a mature stand-alone program that handles accounting, construction estimating, and project management, plus simple construction project scheduling. Goldenseal does not use the Excel spreadsheet, but it exports data to Excel if you want to view it there.

Using Excel for Project Scheduling

This manual assumes that you have some experience with Microsoft Excel.

If you are new to Excel, we recommend that you work through the Welcome and Learning Excel sections of the Excel manual before starting out with the MacNail construction scheduling software.

There are several excellent books on Excel-- plus many sources for hands-on training. Give us a call for our latest recommendations.

Excel is an extremely useful program for any kind of list management or number crunching.

Sources such as Heizer's Excellent Exchange also offer templates for general business tasks such as income tax and depreciation tracking. Doing all your work in Excel has some big advantages, since you can transfer information from one worksheet to another very easily.

Excel is a very powerful program that can do many good things for you. We're sure you will find that the effort to master it is worthwhile!

With a little practice, you can create your own specialty worksheets to solve the need of the moment, such as cut-and-fill calculation, financial projections or tool inventory.