Need to use a template check register.

Create the check register as an Excel Table, then use a PivotTable for category totals and a Timeline for selecting months, quarters, years, or custom date ranges.

1. Create the register

In a blank workbook, add these headings in row 1:

1. Enter one transaction per row.
2. Use real Excel dates in Date, not dates stored as text.
3. Select the register and press Ctrl+T.
4. Check My table has headers, then select OK.
5. On Table Design, rename the table CheckRegister.

A table automatically expands when transactions are added, making it a suitable source for the summary.

For a running balance, enter the opening balance in a separate cell—for example, K2. In the first Balance row, use:

=$K$2+SUM($F$2:F2)-SUM($E$2:E2)

Copy the formula down. Here, Payment is column E and Deposit is column F.

2. Build totals by category and period

1. Select any cell in CheckRegister.
2. Go to Insert > PivotTable.
3. Select New Worksheet, then OK.
4. In PivotTable Fields, arrange:
   • Category → Rows
   • Payment → Values
   • Date → Columns or Filters
5. If Excel shows Count of Payment, open that field’s menu and select Value Field Settings > Sum. Numeric fields normally summarize as sums; values stored as text may instead be counted.^1^

This produces category totals such as Groceries, Utilities, Medical, Insurance, and Home Maintenance. PivotTables support aggregation, categories, filtering, grouping, and drill-down into the underlying transactions.^2^

3. Add selectable time periods

1. Click inside the PivotTable.
2. Select PivotTable Analyze > Insert Timeline.
3. Check Date, then select OK.
4. On the Timeline, choose Years, Quarters, Months, or Days.
5. Drag across the required period.

The category totals will immediately reflect the selected dates. A Timeline can also filter multiple PivotTables when they use the same source.^3^

4. Keep the summary current

After adding transactions:

• Right-click the PivotTable and select Refresh.
• For several PivotTables, select PivotTable Analyze > Refresh > Refresh All.^1^

Optionally, add a chart by clicking the PivotTable and selecting Insert > PivotChart.^4^

A Microsoft-hosted business expense workbook is also available as a starting point, but it is not confirmed to be a check-register template and would need the check number, cleared status, balance, and PivotTable elements added.^5^

References

1. [macOS](https://support.microsoft.com/excel/get-started/create-a-pivottable-to-analyze-worksheet-data#create-by-using-a-recommended-pivottable)
2. Overview of PivotTables and PivotCharts | Microsoft Support
3. Create a PivotTable timeline to filter dates
4. Create a PivotChart | Microsoft Support
5. cdn.create.microsoft.com