A KDP book tracking spreadsheet helps beginners organize Amazon KDP publishing activity from day one.
Many people start publishing with good intentions, but without a clear way to track what they are building.
Books, drafts, uploads, keywords, and notes often end up scattered across documents, tools, or memory.
Why tracking matters early (before you have “too many books”)
When you start publishing on Amazon KDP, it’s easy to think tracking is something you do later — once you have momentum.
In practice, “later” usually means the moment when things already feel messy:
- you don’t remember what stage each book is in
- keywords and niches blur together
- you repeat the same decisions without noticing
- updates get postponed because the overview is missing
A tracking system is not about optimization. It’s about preventing information loss. The earlier you start, the less you have to rebuild later.
What a beginner-friendly KDP tracker needs to include
A useful KDP tracking spreadsheet should support clarity, not complexity. That means:
- one place for book basics (title, format, niche, target keyword, status)
- a simple workflow view (draft → upload → published)
- space for keyword and niche notes (so you don’t redo research)
- a decision log (so choices stay explicit)
- basic monthly tracking (minimal, not performance-driven)
All your KDP information in one place
The core benefit of a structured spreadsheet is that it reduces mental overhead. You don’t have to “hold” your publishing system in your head.
You can see it — and update it in minutes.
If you want a ready-made version with dropdowns, checkboxes, and a clean tab structure, this downloadable template is designed for exactly that:
KDP Template for Beginners – Amazon KDP Book Tracking Spreadsheet to Organize Publishing from Day One (Excel & Sheets)
It’s built to be editable from day one, without needing spreadsheet knowledge.
Editable structure: dropdowns, checkboxes, and simple updating
Beginners often avoid spreadsheets because they expect formulas, complexity, or setup work. A beginner-friendly tracker removes that barrier:
- dropdowns for status fields (so entries stay consistent)
- checkbox-style tracking for workflow steps
- Book ID and Target Keyword reused across tabs (so you don’t retype core info)
- clean, predictable layout across all sheets
How to start using the spreadsheet
You can use the sheets in any order. If you are new to KDP, the following approach works well:
- Start with the Book Overview sheet.
- Enter the Book ID and Target Keyword first — they will be used automatically in the other sheets.
- Then use Publishing Workflow to mark where each title stands (writing, upload, published).
- Add notes in Keyword & Niche Notes when you research — keep it lightweight.
- Use Decision Log only when something changes (pause, revise, switch format, etc.).
No Excel knowledge is required to use the tracker. The structure is designed so you can fill it in as you go, without building anything first.
What becomes easier once you track consistently
- You always know which book is next without guessing.
- You can pause without losing context.
- Updates and revisions become manageable because notes stay attached to the right title.
- Your catalog stays explainable even as it grows.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Excel skills to use this?
No. A beginner-friendly tracker should work without formulas or setup. You only enter information and select from dropdowns.
The goal is clarity, not spreadsheet work.
Can I use this in Google Sheets?
Yes. If you prefer Google Sheets, you can upload the file and use it there. The layout and structure are designed to stay readable and editable.
What should I track if I only have one book?
Start with Book ID, target keyword, and status. Early tracking prevents confusion later and makes decisions easier as you add more titles.
Where do I see the tabs (Book Overview, Workflow, etc.)?
On a laptop, tabs appear at the bottom of the spreadsheet window. On an iPad, they are visible along the bottom area in the Excel/Sheets app
(you may need to swipe horizontally). On an iPhone, tabs are still accessible, but switching is easier in landscape mode or by using the sheet selector.
Is there a guide included?
Yes — the download includes a PDF guide that explains each sheet and how to start. If you want the ready-to-use template mentioned above, you can find it here:
Amazon KDP Book Tracking Spreadsheet (Excel & Google Sheets)