Spreadsheet maintanance logs Office 2010

[oilboy123]

I used to have one that was from an old Word program that came with an old Gateway. It was tailored to automotive maintenance logging.

I have Office 2010 now, but what program would work best Excell?

Any tips are appreciated.

 

[Jeffs2006EvoIX]

I just created my own, but I don't have the new version you have either. Not sure if they are compatable.

Take a day when your not doing anything, and make your own

Jeff

 

[demarpaint]

I made my own in Excel many years ago, it works great.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

If you have Access it is far more powerful for something like maintenance records than Excel. You can also query and report over records types in Access a lot easier than Excel.

If you know enough to do it in Excel you can probably do it in Access.

 

[doitmyself]

There are lots of off the shelf, inexpensive maintenance record programs out there if you want database power. A spreadsheet works fine and is mostly an extension of the old paper log book, IMO.

However, unless this is just something you want to do for its entertainment/hobby/interest value, I don't quite understand the need to keep and manipulate personal vehicle records on a powerful database. Fleet maintenance for a business, yes. I mean, are you going to evaluate the cost effectiveness of one brake job vs. another over the life of a car?

The problem with computers are that they encourage you to do things that are "wanted", but totally not needed....i.e., unneeded/extra maintenance record keeping and evaluation.

To each their own.

 

[oilboy123]

I will check out access. I work on about seven different vehicles, so I don't think doing this is an entertainment kick.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I will check out access. I work on about seven different vehicles, so I don't think doing this is an entertainment kick.


Yes, I understand, and no offense intended. I was just in the mood for a rant. I went through my "time management" phase many years ago. You know, Franklin planners, priority lists, etc..

It's good to be organized and manage your "stuff". But at one point, I realized I was spending more time "managing my time" than I was actually doing things! The paper work/records management clutter took over practicality.

What matters is to adopt a system that fits and works for you. To me, vehicle records are as simple as a:

1. Maintenance Schedule: provided in the owners manual and maybe adjusted to your needs. Maybe a "reminder" function would help to not miss scheduled maintenance.

2. Work Performed: a record of what was done, parts, etc..

I am curious if non-business users take it up a notch and use a database to extract, manipulate, and summarize maintenance data for some reason....economics/cost evaluation, etc.? Is not that a primary reason to step up to a database over using a spread sheet.

 

[Craig in Canada]

I'm using excel. Mileage, date, who, what, comments and notes. For almost everything "who" is DIY at this time, but depending on what's going on I will scan a copy of paper records (like the alignment printout) and import it into the record. Then I can reprint or view electronically as necessary. When I have tires balanced I put the road force values in the comments field. When I switch between summers and winters I put the tread depth measurements in there.

My system doesn't easily help me report on service intervals (air filter, plugs, cabin air filters, diff fluid, trans fluid, brake fluid, fuel filter blah blah blah) and every now and then I put in an entry with time/mileages calculated out in the notes column. Generally I can keep track of the maintenance fairly well on my own since it's in excess of requirements.

 

[NYSteve]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
If you have Access it is far more powerful for something like maintenance records than Excel. You can also query and report over records types in Access a lot easier than Excel.

If you know enough to do it in Excel you can probably do it in Access.


Also the redesigned pivot tables are immensely better than Excel 2003 and can help with on the fly filtering, and category analysis.