Guide

How to replace your property management spreadsheets

Spreadsheets work until they don't. The switch is a project, not a click, and worth doing methodically.

The short answer

Replace spreadsheets by moving the parts that cannot be shared safely first — resident balances, documents, maintenance history — and keep the spreadsheet for analysis, not as the record.

Overview

Spreadsheets work until they don't. The switch is a project, not a click, and worth doing methodically.

Why it works this way

Spreadsheets do not fail at arithmetic. They fail at concurrency, permissions and audit: two people editing, a resident who cannot be shown their own row, and no way to know who changed a number.

The move goes badly when it is attempted all at once. Migrating the ledger, documents and work orders first gives you the record of truth; reporting can follow.

Do it in this order

1. Freeze the current spreadsheet on a date. 2. Export properties, leases, ledgers. 3. Import into the new system. 4. Reconcile balances on the freeze date. 5. Run parallel for one full month, then retire the spreadsheet.

Checklist

  • Freeze the current spreadsheet on a date.
  • Export properties, leases, ledgers.
  • Import into the new system.
  • Reconcile balances on the freeze date.
  • Run parallel for one full month, then retire the spreadsheet.
FAQ

Frequently asked

Do I lose my formulas?

You keep them. Export the data you need and analyse it in a spreadsheet if you prefer — the change is where the record lives, not where you calculate.

Related resources

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