How do I change the channels or statuses in the drop-downs?

Select the column (C for Channel, D for Status), open Data → Data Validation, and edit the comma-separated list in the Source box. Every cell in that column updates at once.

How does the Pipeline counter know how many posts are at each status?

Each cell in I4:I8 runs =COUNTIF($D$4:$D$103,H4), which counts the Status column for rows matching the label beside it. Change any status and the count shifts immediately.

Why do some rows turn gray or yellow on their own?

Two conditional-formatting rules read column D: =$D4="Published" grays the row's font, and a Scheduled rule fills it pale yellow. Finished and queued work is visible without sorting or filtering.

Can I plan more than 100 pieces of content?

Yes. Select the last filled row, copy it, then paste into new rows below row 103. Update the COUNTIF range in I4:I8 from $D$103 to your new last row so the counts stay accurate.

Does this content calendar work in Google Sheets?

Yes. Go to File → Import → Upload, pick the file, and choose Replace spreadsheet. The drop-downs, COUNTIF counts, and row coloring all carry over to Sheets.

Content Calendar Template (Excel)

Last updated June 2026

One hundred publishing slots, six columns each: Date, Title, Channel, Status, Owner, and Notes on a single Calendar sheet (rows 4–103). Channel and Status are drop-downs, a COUNTIF Pipeline block tallies how many pieces sit at each stage, and published rows gray themselves out. Made for social media and editorial teams planning in a free .xlsx instead of another subscription tool.

content-calendar.xlsx · free · no signup

Download free template

Works in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and Google Sheets (File → Import).

SHA-256: 5d2941149fc03af660ab6a40a7d879a8b4d9cdfe67a3868e39ba818f34be760e

I4=COUNTIF($D$4:$D$103,H4)

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
1	Date	Title	Channel	Status	Owner	Notes	Pipeline
2	7/6	Summer launch announcement	Blog	Published	Maya	Hero graphic approved; cross-post to LinkedIn	Idea	2
3	7/8	Behind the scenes	Instagram	Scheduled	Devon	Reels cut from launch event footage	Drafting	1
4	7/10	Product demo	YouTube	Drafting	Priya	3-min walkthrough; needs captions	In review	1
5	7/13	Customer story	Newsletter	In review	Maya	Awaiting quote sign-off from customer	Scheduled	1
6	7/15	Launch recap	LinkedIn	Idea	Devon	Carousel + short writeup	Published	1
7	7/17	Quick tips thread	X	Idea	Priya	5 tips, one per post

The Calendar sheet, with the Pipeline counter block to the right. I4 counts how many rows are still at the 'Idea' status — here, 2.

What's inside

Sheets

CalendarTitle in A1, a header row in A3:F3, and 100 entry rows (4–103). The Pipeline counter block sits in H3:I9, and A4 is frozen so the header and Pipeline stay in view as you scroll.

Columns

DateWhen the piece goes live. Column A is date-formatted, so 7/6 sorts as July 6, 2026, not as text.
TitleThe working headline for the post, video, or email — one row per piece of content.
ChannelA drop-down with Blog, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Newsletter, and Podcast, so channel names stay consistent.
StatusA drop-down with Idea, Drafting, In review, Scheduled, and Published. This column drives the row coloring and the Pipeline counts.
OwnerWho is responsible for the piece. Free text — type names or initials.
NotesAnything else: the asset link, the format, an approval note, or a reminder.

Formulas that do the work

=COUNTIF($D$4:$D$103,H4)

The Pipeline block in I4 counts every Status cell in the calendar that matches the label in H4 (Idea). The $D$4:$D$103 range is locked, so the same formula copied down to I8 counts each of the five statuses.

=COUNTIF($D$4:$D$103,H8)

The fifth counter, in I8, tallies Published rows against H8. Add the five counts and you have your total number of calendar entries — a one-glance read on how loaded the pipeline is. The Planned total in I9 does this for you with =SUM(I4:I8).

=SUM(I4:I8)

The Planned total row in I9 sums the five status counts above it, giving the total number of calendar entries across every stage. It updates the instant any Status changes.

=$D4="Published"

A whole-row conditional-formatting rule on A4:F103. When a row's Status reads Published, its font turns gray so finished work recedes; a second rule fills Scheduled rows pale yellow.

How to use it

Add a row per piece of content
On the Calendar sheet, type the go-live date in column A, the working title in column B, and the owner in column E. The 100 rows from 4 to 103 are pre-wired with drop-downs and formatting.
Pick a Channel and Status
Click the Channel cell (column C) and choose from the drop-down: Blog, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, Newsletter, or Podcast. Then set the Status (column D) to Idea, Drafting, In review, Scheduled, or Published. See how the drop-downs work if you want to edit the lists.
Watch the rows recolor
As you set each Status, a conditional-formatting rule grays out Published rows and tints Scheduled rows pale yellow, so the calendar reads at a glance without filtering.
Read the Pipeline counts
The Pipeline block in H3:I9 uses COUNTIF to tally how many pieces sit at each status, and the Planned total in I9 sums them with =SUM(I4:I8). Watch the Idea count fall and the Published count rise as the month progresses.
Sort by date when planning
Select A3:F103, open Data → Sort, sort by Date ascending, and your calendar reads top to bottom in publish order. The Pipeline counts in column I update automatically.

Compatibility

Microsoft Excel. Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2016 and later (Windows and Mac).
LibreOffice Calc. Opens directly — formulas, validation lists, and formatting carry over.
Google Sheets. Upload via File → Import → Upload, or drag the file into Drive and open with Sheets.

The Channel and Status drop-downs and the row coloring survive a Google Sheets import; the COUNTIF Pipeline counts recalculate on open. Verify the drop-downs by clicking any Channel cell after importing.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the channels or statuses in the drop-downs?: Select the column (C for Channel, D for Status), open Data → Data Validation, and edit the comma-separated list in the Source box. Every cell in that column updates at once.
How does the Pipeline counter know how many posts are at each status?: Each cell in I4:I8 runs =COUNTIF($D$4:$D$103,H4), which counts the Status column for rows matching the label beside it. Change any status and the count shifts immediately.
Why do some rows turn gray or yellow on their own?: Two conditional-formatting rules read column D: =$D4="Published" grays the row's font, and a Scheduled rule fills it pale yellow. Finished and queued work is visible without sorting or filtering.
Can I plan more than 100 pieces of content?: Yes. Select the last filled row, copy it, then paste into new rows below row 103. Update the COUNTIF range in I4:I8 from $D$103 to your new last row so the counts stay accurate.
Does this content calendar work in Google Sheets?: Yes. Go to File → Import → Upload, pick the file, and choose Replace spreadsheet. The drop-downs, COUNTIF counts, and row coloring all carry over to Sheets.

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