What is included in the supplier price tracker
| Worksheet | Purpose | Output |
|---|---|---|
| Read Me | Six-step setup and error checks | A consistent workflow |
| Invoice Lines | Enter one item per invoice row | Unit cost, variance, impact, priority |
| Product Master | Map stable product IDs and baseline cost | Reliable comparisons |
| Supplier Master | Store supplier context and terms | Cleaner follow-up |
| Unit Normalizer | Convert pack, weight, and volume | Like-for-like unit cost |
| Price Change Report | Pull review fields together | Action list |
| Dashboard | Summarize impact and review count | Weekly snapshot |
Download the working Excel file
Prefilled examples show how the formulas work. Replace them with your own invoice lines.
How to use the template in ten minutes
- Open Read Me and scan the comparison rules.
- Add one product and its approved baseline unit cost to Product Master.
- Add the supplier to Supplier Master.
- Enter the newest invoice line in Invoice Lines.
- If the pack differs, convert it in Unit Normalizer.
- Open Price Change Report and write the review note.
The workbook uses a bounded editable range so formulas stay understandable. Microsoft’s guidance on creating and formatting Excel Tables is helpful if you expand or customize it.
How the tracker calculates price increases
Unit cost = line total ÷ quantity
Change $ = current unit cost − baseline unit cost
Change % = change $ ÷ baseline unit cost
Monthly impact = change $ × estimated monthly volume
Example
A case rises from $82 to $89. The change is $7 per case, or 8.54%. At 40 cases per month, the estimated impact is $280. If your high-impact threshold is $350, it remains a “Watch” item—but it still deserves verification.
Customize the tracker without breaking it
Change thresholds on the Dashboard
Set a percentage threshold and a dollar-impact threshold that reflect your purchasing scale. Start conservatively, review false positives for a month, and tune.
Keep one owner for mappings
Different descriptions can refer to one product. Let one person approve Product IDs so two users do not create competing baselines.
Preserve evidence
Keep invoice number and review note. A spreadsheet result without the underlying invoice line is hard to verify and harder to discuss with a supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Is the template really free?
Yes. It can be downloaded without entering an email address. It contains sample data so you can inspect the formulas before replacing the examples.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets can import the .xlsx file, though formatting and validation may vary. Review the formulas after import and keep an untouched copy of the original workbook.
Does the tracker account for pack-size changes?
The Unit Normalizer helps convert pack, weight, or volume to a comparable unit. The user must still confirm the correct conversion from the invoice or product specification.