How to Customize a Weekly Lesson or Project Planner Template in Excel

Objective

Learn to customize a weekly lesson or project planner template in Excel to create a powerful tool that saves time and enhances productivity throughout the year.

Key Features

• Auto-Populate Dates: Setup to auto-populate dates across multiple tabs for the entire year.
• Excel Checkboxes: Implement checkboxes with formatting to manage tasks easily.
• Hyperlinked Index Tab: Create an index tab with hyperlinks to navigate the workbook efficiently.

Conversion from Lesson Plan to Project Plan

Transform a weekly lesson plan template for teachers into a project plan for work.

Tools and Resources

• Microsoft 365, Desktop App Version.
• Template with navigation icons in Excel.
• Weekly planner auto-populates dates based on the initial date in cell C6.
• Excel checkboxes for marking completed tasks.

Steps for Customization

1. Copy and Paste Template:

   • Select the entire sheet, hit Ctrl+C.
   • Open a new Excel sheet, hit Ctrl+V to paste.
   • Adjust the view by turning off "Gridlines" under View tab.

2. Update Icons and Labels:

   • Delete existing icons and choose new ones suitable for a project plan.
   • Update labels from "Weekly Lesson Planner" to "Weekly Project Planner" and adjust time blocks.

3. Formatting:

   • Change page layout to Landscape and adjust margins to fit to one page.
   • Retain color and formatting using Ctrl+C/Ctrl key and paste values.

4. Generate Weekly Tabs:

   • Create an index page with hyperlinks for navigation.
   • Rename sheet "Index" and position accordingly.
   • Update first date in cell C6 to start the year (e.g., "12/30/24").

5. Macro and VBA Code:

   • Insert VBA code to duplicate sheet across 52 weeks.
   • Automate weekly tab generation and date updates.
   • Set macro to update week numbers correctly with "ISOWEEKNUM" formula.

6. Linking Icon:

   • Insert a new project-related icon.
   • Set hyperlink to link back to the index page.

Saving and Running Macro

• Save your customized workbook.
• Run macro to generate weekly tabs automatically, ensuring correct date population.

Conclusion

Customize your weekly planner in Excel to suit different purposes every year, including project planning, household chores, or meal planning.

Further Assistance

• Share the template with others.
• Visit SharonSmithHR.com for more resources.
• Subscribe to the channel and leave comments for assistance.

Note: VBA code and template links are available in the video description.