You don’t need fancy software to get started with OKRs.
In fact, some of the best OKR systems begin not in a platform - but in a humble spreadsheet.
Why? Because Excel is:
- Free (or already in your tech stack)
- Familiar to every team
- Flexible enough to grow with you
It’s fast, simple, and already part of your workflow. No learning curve, no extra cost - just a clean slate to start aligning your team.
But here’s the catch: most “free OKR Excel templates” out there are either way too simple - or so complex they need a manual.
That’s why we built one that’s:
- Easy to use
- Clean and intuitive
- Designed to scale with your team
- Complete with space for weekly check-ins, and progress updates
If you're testing OKRs or want a no-fuss system to rally your team around real results - this is it. Let’s walk through how to use it - and why it might be exactly what your team needs right now.
Why Start with Excel? (And Why So Many Still Do)
While OKR software is growing rapidly, it’s important to recognize that a significant number of startups still rely on spreadsheets to manage their goals.
According to our own research, 67% of companies continue to use Excel or Google Sheets as their primary tool for tracking OKRs.
Why? Because spreadsheets are:
- Already part of the workflow
- Free or very low-cost
- Flexible enough to customize
- Familiar to every function and role
In the early stages - when speed matters more than systems - this flexibility is hard to beat. You don’t need to train your team or commit to a platform. You just… start.
But once OKRs start to scale across teams and quarters, those same spreadsheets begin to strain. Updates get missed. Versions multiply. Alignment slips.
That’s where purpose-built OKR software starts to shine.
But for many, Excel is still the right starting point.
Who This Excel OKR Template Is For?
Whether you're experimenting with OKRs or simply not ready to commit to a full platform, this template is a great way to get started quickly - with zero friction.
- Early-stage startups who want to try OKRs without committing to a platform
You're focused on getting results fast, not picking tools. This template helps you experiment with OKRs without getting stuck in setup hell or software costs. - Teams who like full control and flexibility
If your team prefers building its own systems over bending to someone else’s workflow, this template gives you the freedom to customize, adapt, and own the entire process. - Companies watching cost before scaling software spend
Budgets matter - especially in the early days. With Excel, you get a fully functional OKR setup without adding to your SaaS stack. - Founders who want to learn OKRs before rolling them out org-wide
Maybe you're just wrapping your head around how OKRs work. This template helps you learn by doing - testing out structures, tracking outcomes, and getting a feel for the rhythm before scaling across teams.
What’s Inside the Template
Here’s how the template supports all of that.
To make OKRs simple, flexible, and low-friction, the Excel template is structured into a few focused tabs - each designed to guide you from setup to execution.
Everything’s color-coded, organized, and 100% editable.
How to Use the OKR Excel Template
Here’s a simple workflow to make it part of your team’s rhythm:
1. Set Your Quarterly Objectives
Use clear, inspiring language. One to three objectives per team is usually plenty.
Start by aligning around what truly matters this quarter - whether it's growth, retention, or product velocity. Make objectives memorable so your team can rally behind them.
Not sure which objective to use? Check out these Startup OKR Examples.
2. Define 2–4 Measurable Key Results Per Objective
These should be metrics - things you can actually track and influence.
Key results should stretch your team but still be achievable. Pick numbers that indicate success clearly, like signups, conversions, or activation rates.
3. List Supporting Initiatives Under Each Key Result
Initiatives are the projects or actions your team will take to move the metric.
Think campaigns, product improvements, outreach experiments, or process changes. If the work doesn’t influence a key result, it probably doesn’t belong here.
4. Assign Ownership and Track Progress Weekly
Use the Notes column to add quick updates and share blockers.
Make updates a team habit - just a few minutes each week to check status, remove blockers, and course-correct if needed. This keeps momentum high.
5. Review and Reflect
At the end of the cycle, evaluate what moved and what didn’t. Carry forward what works.
Don’t skip the reflection. It’s an important part of the OKR process. Discuss lessons learned in a retro. Celebrate wins, diagnose misses, and use those insights to shape stronger OKRs next time.
Sample OKR in Excel
What a simple OKR looks like.
Below is an example of a single objective with its key results - showing how goals, ownership, targets, and status come together in a clear, easy-to-scan format.
And here’s how an OKR looks in Excel.
You can see how the OKR is laid out inside the template, using rows, status indicators, and last-updated fields to make progress easy to track.
Limitations of Excel for OKRs
Let’s be honest - Excel is a great starting point. But as your team grows, it starts to show its limits:
- No real-time updates
- Harder to scale across teams
- Manual check-ins = time-consuming
- No reminders, automation, or integrations
- Visibility gets messy fast.
If you’re managing more than a few teams or want to run weekly check-ins at scale, you’ll eventually want to upgrade to a dedicated OKR platform.
Excel vs Dedicated OKR Software: When It’s Time to Upgrade
Excel is a great way to start with OKRs - but as teams grow, the limitations of spreadsheets become harder to ignore.
If you’re running OKRs across multiple teams or quarters, a dedicated OKR tool removes manual work, improves visibility, and keeps everyone aligned automatically.
Download the Free OKR Template
Ready to ditch messy docs and align your team fast? Download the Excel OKR Template and start running your best goal cycle yet - without spending a dime.
FAQs
Can I use this template in Google Sheets? Yes! Get access here or download the Excel file and upload it to Google Drive and convert to Sheets format. It works just like Excel - so your team can start using it immediately without missing a beat.
Can I share this with my team? Absolutely. It’s designed for collaboration. Just upload it to a shared drive or workspace so everyone can view, update, and stay aligned.
Can I edit the structure? 100%. It’s yours to modify. Change tabs, rename headers, adjust formatting - make it work for your team and workflow.
Does this work for personal OKRs? Yes, with minor tweaks to simplify the format. Strip it down to one objective and a few key results - perfect for solo planning or habit tracking.
Want to Upgrade From Excel?
We’ve been there.
That’s why we built OKRs Tool - an OKR platform designed specifically for startups.
- Create OKRs in seconds using AI
- Assign initiatives and track progress visually
- Run check-ins without needing extra meetings
- Slack integration, no learning curve
- Alignment Map for cross-team visibility
Start in Excel. Grow into something built for scale. (And if you want to bring your Excel OKRs into our platform - we’ll help you migrate them in minutes.)
