How to Track Your Writing Without Spreadsheets

Published September 22, 2025

Spreadsheets are powerful. You can customize everything, build complex formulas, and own your data completely. But here's the problem: most writers stop using them after two weeks because updating a spreadsheet feels like work.

Why Spreadsheets Stop Working

The first time you set up a writing tracker in Excel or Google Sheets, it feels great. You make columns for date, daily words, total words, running average, and days left until your deadline. You color-code cells. You build a chart that updates automatically. It's satisfying.

Then reality hits:

• You forget to update it for three days, and now you don't remember what you wrote when.
• Your formulas break when you add a row in the wrong place.
• The chart range needs manual adjustment every time you add new data.
• Opening the spreadsheet on your phone is technically possible but painful enough that you just... don't.

None of this is your fault. Spreadsheets are designed for data analysis, not for daily motivation. They're great at storing information, but terrible at making that information feel rewarding to update.

So what's the alternative?

What You Actually Need From a Tracker

Before looking for alternatives, let's be clear about what a good writing tracker needs to do:

If your current spreadsheet does all of that and you're happy with it, keep using it. But if any of these things are missing or causing friction, it's worth trying something else.

Alternative 1: Dedicated Writing Trackers

The simplest alternative to spreadsheets is using a tool built specifically for tracking writing progress. These tools handle all the math, charts, and projections automatically.

How they work:

• You set a goal (80,000 words by June 1)
• You log your word count after each session
• The tracker shows your progress, streaks, and days-left estimate automatically

Examples:

• Authorlytica (that's us): Web-based, free during beta, with streaks, charts, XP, and chapter-level tracking.
• Pacemaker.press: Planning-focused tracker with customizable schedules.
• Trackbear: Simple daily logging with basic charts.

Pros:

• No setup required. Create an account and start tracking immediately.
• Charts and projections update automatically.
• Mobile-friendly by design.
• Built specifically for writers, so the interface makes sense.

Cons:

• Less customizable than spreadsheets.
• Your data lives on someone else's server (though most allow exports).
• Some features may require a subscription.

Alternative 2: Notion or Airtable

If you want more flexibility than a dedicated tracker but less maintenance than Excel, Notion or Airtable are middle-ground options. Both let you build custom databases with formulas, but they're more user-friendly than traditional spreadsheets.

How they work:

• Create a database with fields for date, word count, and totals
• Set up formulas for running totals and averages
• Add views (charts, calendars, etc.) to visualize your data

Pros:

• More flexible than dedicated trackers.
• Can integrate with other parts of your writing system (notes, outlines, etc.).
• Templates available from other writers.

Cons:

• Still requires setup and maintenance.
• Formulas can break if you change the structure.
• Mobile experience is better than Excel but not as fast as dedicated trackers.

Alternative 3: Pen and Paper

Don't laugh. Some writers track their progress in physical notebooks, and it works surprisingly well for building consistency.

How it works:

• Keep a notebook next to your writing space
• After each session, write the date and word count
• Calculate your running total and days-left estimate manually (or just don't)

Pros:

• Zero technical friction. No apps, no formulas, no maintenance.
• Physically writing progress feels satisfying for some people.
• Complete data ownership. No one can shut down your notebook.

Cons:

• No automatic charts or projections.
• Calculating trends and averages requires manual work.
• Can't easily see patterns over weeks or months.
• If you lose the notebook, you lose your history.

Alternative 4: Habit Tracking Apps

If your main goal is consistency (not detailed analytics), general habit trackers like Habitica, Streaks, or Loop Habit Tracker can work for tracking writing streaks.

How they work:

• Set up a daily habit called "Write"
• Check it off each day you write
• The app tracks your streak and completion rate

Pros:

• Simple and fast. Just check a box.
• Good for building the habit of writing daily.
• Many are free or very cheap.

Cons:

• No word count tracking. You only track yes/no.
• No progress toward a specific goal or deadline.
• Not designed for writers, so the features are generic.

What Works Best for Most Writers

The best tracking system is the one you'll actually use. If you love spreadsheets and you're maintaining yours consistently, keep using it. But if you've tried spreadsheets and stopped because they felt like work, try a dedicated tracker.

Dedicated trackers exist specifically to remove friction. You don't build them. You don't maintain them. You just log your words and see your progress. That simplicity matters when the goal is to finish a novel, not to become an Excel expert.

Why I Built Authorlytica

I tried tracking my writing in spreadsheets for years. I'd build elaborate systems with color-coded cells and complex formulas, then stop using them after two weeks because updating the spreadsheet felt like more work than writing.

What I actually needed was something simple:

• Log my word count in 10 seconds
• See my streak and progress chart immediately
• Know if I'm on track to hit my deadline
• Work seamlessly on my phone

That's what Authorlytica does. No setup, no formulas, no maintenance. Just tracking that works and stays out of your way.

Making the Switch

If you're currently using a spreadsheet and want to try something else, here's how to transition smoothly:

1. Don't delete your spreadsheet. Keep it as a backup and reference.
2. Export your historical data if possible. Some trackers let you import past data, or you can manually add key totals.
3. Try the new system for two weeks. That's enough time to know if it's actually easier or just different.
4. If it doesn't work, go back. There's no shame in sticking with what works for you.

The Bottom Line

Spreadsheets are powerful, but power doesn't matter if you stop using the tool. The best tracking system is the one that's so easy you never skip it. For some writers, that's a spreadsheet. For most, it's something simpler.

Try a dedicated tracker. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to Excel. But if it does work, you'll have more time to write and less time maintaining formulas.

Common Questions

Can I use multiple tracking methods at once?

You can, but it usually adds friction instead of removing it. Pick one primary system. If you want a backup, export your data periodically to a spreadsheet for safekeeping.

What if I have years of data in my spreadsheet?

Keep the spreadsheet for historical reference. Start fresh with a new tracker for current and future projects. You don't need to migrate everything to make the switch worthwhile.

Are dedicated trackers secure?

Reputable trackers take security seriously. Look for tools that offer data export so you're never locked in. Read the privacy policy to understand how your data is handled.

What if the tracker I'm using shuts down?

This is a valid concern. Always use tools that let you export your data. That way, if the service closes, you still have your history and can move to another platform.