Build your own litbuy spreadsheet DIY tutorial
DIY Guide

How to Build Your Own Litbuy Spreadsheet (2026)

By Nina PatelMay 7, 2026Updated: May 20, 2026

The official litbuy spreadsheet is curated, verified, and updated daily. But what if you want your own version? Maybe you want to track different stores, add your own categories, or build a private sheet for your reselling business. This guide teaches you how to build a litbuy-style spreadsheet from scratch — complete with auto-updating formulas, price comparison columns, and filtering tools that rival the original.

Step 1: Set Up the Basic Structure

Open a blank Google Sheet and create these column headers in row 1:

ColumnHeader NameData Type
AProduct NameText
BCategoryText / Dropdown
CStore / MerchantText
DOriginal PriceCurrency
EDeal PriceCurrency
FSavings %Formula
GProduct LinkURL
HDate AddedDate
IVerifiedCheckbox
JNotesText

In cell F2, enter the savings formula: =ROUND((D2-E2)/D2*100, 1). Drag this formula down the column. Now every row automatically calculates discount percentage.

Step 2: Create Category Dropdowns

Consistent category names are essential for filtering. Create a separate tab called "Categories" and list your categories in column A: Shoes, Hoodies/Sweaters, T-Shirts, Jackets, Pants/Shorts, Headwear, Sets, Underwear, Jersey, Accessories. Then in your main sheet, select column B, go to Data > Data validation, and set the criteria to "List from a range" pointing to Categories!A:A. Now every entry must match your approved categories — no typos, no duplicates.

Step 3: Add Conditional Formatting

Make your sheet visual. Select the data range, go to Format > Conditional formatting, and add these rules:

  • Savings % > 50 — Green background (exceptional deals)
  • Savings % between 30 and 50 — Light green background (good deals)
  • Savings % < 20 — Light gray background (weak deals, consider removing)
  • Verified = FALSE — Red text (unverified, needs checking)
  • Date Added = today — Bold border (new arrivals)

At a glance, you now know which deals are hot, which need verification, and which are fresh. This visual system is what makes the official litbuy spreadsheet so fast to scan.

Step 4: Build a Summary Dashboard

Create a "Dashboard" tab with key metrics. Use these formulas:

  • Total active deals=COUNTA(Main!A2:A)
  • Average discount %=AVERAGE(Main!F2:F)
  • Best category by volume — Use a pivot table or QUERY to count deals per category
  • Deals added today=COUNTIF(Main!H2:H, TODAY())
  • Unverified deals=COUNTIF(Main!I2:I, FALSE)

This dashboard gives you a 10-second status check every morning. If unverified deals are piling up, you know you need to do a verification pass. If no deals were added today, you know your sourcing pipeline is dry.

Step 5: Set Up Auto-Pulling from the Official Litbuy Spreadsheet

Why start from scratch when you can build on top of the official sheet? In a separate tab of your personal workbook, use:

=IMPORTRANGE("[official-sheet-url]", "Sheet1!A1:J500")

This pulls live litbuy spreadsheet data into your workbook. Now add custom columns to the right: "My Rating," "Purchase Status," "Resale Target," "Notes." You get the best of both worlds — verified official data plus your personal tracking system.

Step 6: Build a Sourcing Workflow

If you want to populate your own deals (not just import from the official sheet), you need a sourcing system. Here is a repeatable workflow:

  1. Monday scan — Browse 10-15 known merchants for clearance sections
  2. Filter by discount — Only add items with 30%+ savings
  3. Verify prices — Open the product page, confirm the deal price is live
  4. Copy link — Paste the direct product URL into your sheet
  5. Categorize — Use your dropdown to ensure consistency
  6. Mark verified — Check the box once you confirm everything
  7. Update dashboard — Check your summary metrics

Experienced curators process 30-50 deals per hour using this workflow. Beginners start at 10-15 per hour and improve with practice.

Free Template vs Building From Scratch

ApproachTimeEffortBest For
Use official litbuy spreadsheet5 minutesMinimalMost users — just open and shop
Import + custom columns20 minutesLowUsers who want personal tracking
Build from scratch (this guide)2-3 hoursMediumResellers and boutique owners
Full custom with auto-sourcing10+ hoursHighPower users and developers

FAQ

Do I need coding skills to build this?

No. Everything in this guide uses Google Sheets' built-in features. No JavaScript, no APIs, no programming.

Can I sell my own litbuy-style spreadsheet?

Yes, but do not use the litbuy brand name or copy our curated data. Build your own sourcing and branding.

How do I keep my sheet updated daily?

Import the official sheet via IMPORTRANGE, or dedicate 30 minutes each morning to manual sourcing and verification.

Will Google Sheets handle thousands of rows?

Yes, up to approximately 100,000 rows. For larger datasets, consider upgrading to Google Sheets with BigQuery or moving to Airtable.

Can multiple people edit my sheet?

Yes. Share with edit permissions for team collaboration. Use protected ranges to prevent accidental overwrites of formula columns.

Final Thoughts

Building your own litbuy spreadsheet is a rewarding project that teaches you how deal curation actually works. But remember — the official sheet has a full-time team verifying deals daily. Unless you have hours to spare, importing the official data and adding your own tracking columns is the sweet spot. Start there, experiment, and build outward as your needs grow. For the easiest path, just use the official free litbuy spreadsheet.

Ready to Start Saving?

Get instant access to the best litbuy spreadsheet and start tracking deals across all your favorite fashion categories today.

Related Reading