Track and Analyze Input Costs for Better Business Decisions

Table of Contents

1. Overview

The Basic Input Cost Tracking Template is an Excel spreadsheet template that helps small business owners monitor and analyze changes in input costs over time. This enables better pricing decisions and cost management strategies.

Ideal for:

• Small business owners and managers
• Product-based entrepreneurs tracking material costs
• Anyone looking to gain insight into price fluctuations of business inputs

Requirements:

• Microsoft Excel 2016 or later (Windows or Mac)
• Basic familiarity with Excel (no macros required)

Assumptions:

• The user has a basic working knowledge of Excel and spreadsheets in general.
• This tutorial will only focus on template functionality and will not get into the formulas or the internal workings of the template.

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2. Getting Started

Download and Open the Template:

• Download the template from the product page.
• Open the file in Excel. If prompted, click Enable Editing and Enable Content to activate formulas.

Template Layout:

Each category is tracked on its own tab. The aggregate dashboard provides an overview of changes.

Key Sections:

• Category Tabs : One for each input category (e.g., Raw Materials, Labor, Packaging)
• Aggregate Dashboard: Summarizes changes across all categories
• Data Input Columns These columns are filled in by the user and are color-coded blue to distinguish them from calculated fields. They capture key information about input cost changes over time.
• Data Output Columns These columns are automatically calculated based on the data you enter and are color-coded green to distinguish them from the input fields. They allow you to track changes in input costs over time, helping you spot trends and make informed decisions.

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3. Using the Template

Entering Input Cost Data

1. Navigate to the relevant category tab (e.g., Raw Materials).
2. In the first available row:
• Date: When the cost changed
• Input Name: The specific item (e.g., Aluminum)
• Change Type: Dollar or percentage (You can only enter data in one or the other)
• Change Value: Input the numeric value
3. The template will automatically calculate:
• New cost
• Dollar amount change
• Percentage change
• Running average or aggregate increase

Tip: You can sort or filter by date or item name for easier tracking.

Understanding the Input Tracking Table

The main section of the template — sometimes referred to as the Input Tracking Table — contains two types of columns:

• Blue input columns: Where you enter each new cost change
• Green output columns: Where the template calculates new costs, percentage changes, and running totals
• As you continue adding entries over time, this area builds a log of cost changes and helps you analyze patterns in your input costs by specific type

How the Tracking Process Works

1. Start with a New Entry
   The user begins by entering information into the blue input fields. This includes the initial cost of a raw material, the date, and the amount or percentage of change.
2. Automatic Calculations
   The template then calculates and displays:
• % Change and $ Change based on the entered values
• A New Cost, reflecting the updated price
• The Historical Cost (original starting cost) and Historical Date (when tracking began)
• The Current Cost, which updates with each new entry for the same item

3. Logging Future Changes
   When a cost changes again for an existing raw material:
• The user enters a new row and uses the Current Cost from the previous entry as the new Starting Cost
• The template performs the same set of calculations and displays the results in the latest row

4. Maintaining Historical Reference
   The Historical Cost and Historical Date always reflect the very first recorded cost and date for that specific material. These values remain unchanged, providing a long-term reference point, even as new changes are logged.

5. Understanding the Dashboard
• Refer to the Aggregate Dashboard to the right of the Input Tracking Table.
• View aggregate cost changes by category.
• The aggregate cost changes are useful in determining cost trends by category

6. Add a New Input Category
• Right click on a category tab (preferably one that has no data entries) and choose Move or Copy
• Check the Create a Copy box in the lower left of the Move or Copy window.
• Click OK
• Rename the tab to your new category name

4. Need Help?

If you run into issues or have ideas for improvements:

• Email: support@agentixinsight.com
• Suggest features: Submit Feedback
• Check for updated versions on the Products Page