Information at a glance - Excel

Among other methods of organization I use for records is a spreadsheet. There are a number of spreadsheet programs available or an old fashioned ledger can be used. I use this method in conjunction to my other documentation methods. It takes only a few moments once you have set it up with the columns and categories you need. It makes information portable, easy to share and I particularly like it for a quick reference for dates or records if I have a more complicated piece of research.

So how do I use it?

- To list records in order, what the title is and where they are maintained

- To record the citation method for the particular document source.

- To add notes to myself in the last column - this is particularly valuable if you come back to the research after a period of time.

- Making dates in the first column so I can add the information about the research subject and records or information. This forms a timeline. There are two advantages to this: It draws your attention to blanks spots in the records and it can save me countless hours researching the same online records when I know the Record Group that I have already spent many hours in or may contain more information I need to find.

- To color code items or groups of items within the organization of the spreadsheet.

Everyone has a method that works best for them - please share the methods that work for you in your research.