If you have ever wondered what makes litbuy spreadsheet tick, this article pulls back the curtain. We will walk through the exact column architecture, the formula engine that powers margin calculations, and the design decisions that keep the template lightweight yet powerful. Whether you are a power user or just curious, understanding the structure helps you customize faster and debug smarter. For a hands-on tutorial, visit the how to use litbuy spreadsheet guide. Return to the litbuy spreadsheet homepage anytime.
Quick Answer
Litbuy spreadsheet explained means understanding its pre-built column schema, protected formula layer, and modular tab design that separates raw inventory data from processed dashboard views.
Column Architecture
The Inventory tab contains 12 core columns. Each column has a specific data type and validation rule. Understanding these fields prevents input errors and keeps formulas accurate.
| Column | Type | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKU | Text | Unique product identifier | AJ1-BRED-42 |
| Product Name | Text | Human-readable label | Air Jordan 1 Bred |
| Category | Dropdown | Filter grouping | Shoes |
| Cost | Currency | Landed purchase price | $85.00 |
| Sell Price | Currency | Target selling price | $150.00 |
| Margin | Formula | Auto-calculated profit % | 35.2% |
| Stock | Number | Current units available | 12 |
| Supplier | Text | Source identifier | Supplier A |
| Date Added | Date | Entry timestamp | 2026-05-15 |
| Notes | Text | Free-form comments | High demand in EU |
| Fees | Currency | Platform + shipping fees | $12.50 |
| Status | Dropdown | Active / Sold / Reserved | Active |
Formula Engine
All calculations live in the formula layer. You never touch these cells directly. Instead, you edit Cost, Sell Price, and Fees, and the engine updates everything downstream.
- Margin — =(Sell - Cost - Fees) / Sell. Formatted as percentage with conditional color: green above 30%, yellow 15–30%, red below 15%.
- Net Profit — =(Sell - Cost - Fees) * Stock. Shows total potential profit for the current batch.
- Days in Inventory — =TODAY() - DateAdded. Helps identify slow movers that may need price drops.
Tab Design Philosophy
The template follows a separation-of-concerns pattern. Raw data lives in one tab. Processed views live in another. This prevents accidental overwrites and makes the file scalable.
Single Source of Truth
The Inventory tab is the only place you enter data. Every other tab pulls from it.
Read-Only Dashboards
Dashboard tabs use protected formulas. You view summaries without risking data corruption.
Import Staging
Paste supplier CSVs into Import first. Validate, then push to Inventory. This prevents bad data entry.
Audit Trail
History tab logs price changes automatically when you update cost or sell price in Inventory.
Extending the Schema
Power users often add custom columns. The formula engine is designed to tolerate new columns as long as you insert them between existing data columns, not before the SKU or after the Status column. Common extensions include season tags, size ranges, photo URLs, and supplier rating scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is delivered as an Excel .xlsx file and a Google Sheets link. Both contain identical column structures and formulas.
Summary
Now that litbuy spreadsheet is explained, you understand the 12-column schema, the protected formula engine, and the modular tab design. This knowledge lets you customize confidently, debug quickly, and scale your catalog without breaking the core logic. For practical usage, switch to the how to use litbuy spreadsheet tutorial next.