Build a Checkbox Progress Tracker in Google Sheets (with a Live Bar)
Turn six checkboxes into a completed count, percentage and progress bar.
Download practice data · CSVStart the exerciseWatch the tutorial
Watch on YouTube · ShortTry it yourself
Import at A1. CSV contains TRUE/FALSE values, not checkbox controls: select B2:B7 and Insert → Checkbox. E2: =COUNTIFS(B2:B7,TRUE); E3: =COUNTA(A2:A7); E4: =E2/E3. Format E4 as percent. E5: =SPARKLINE(E4,{"charttype","bar";"max",1}). Expect 3/6 = 50%.
=COUNTIFS(B2:B7,TRUE)Detailed steps
- 1. Add native checkboxes
Put six task names in A two through A seven. Select B two through B seven, then use Insert and Checkbox. Standard checked boxes hold TRUE, and unchecked boxes hold FALSE.
- 2. Count completed tasks
In E two, use COUNTIFS on B two through B seven with TRUE as the criterion. This counts checked boxes. Our example returns three. Keep the checkbox range aligned with the task rows.
- 3. Calculate the percentage
In E three, count task names with COUNTA on A two through A seven. In E four, divide E two by E three, then format it as a percentage. Three divided by six is fifty percent.
- 4. Draw a bar in one cell
For the bar, use SPARKLINE on E four. Set charttype to bar and max to one. The cell contains zero point five, even though the percentage display says fifty percent.
- Keep the tracker consistent
Changing a checkbox updates the count, percentage, and bar. Keep one checkbox for every named task. Extend both ranges together when you add tasks, and avoid a zero-task denominator. Would you use this for work tasks or habits?
Preview the input data
| Task | Done |
|---|---|
| Write script | TRUE |
| Record demo | TRUE |
| Check audio | FALSE |
| Make thumbnail | TRUE |
| Upload video | FALSE |
| Review captions | FALSE |
How to open the CSV
In a blank Google Sheet choose File → Import → Upload and select the downloaded CSV. Use comma as the separator. Start at A1 unless the exercise specifies another location. CSV contains input data; add formulas and controls using the steps above. Files are hosted directly here and require no shared personal Drive document.
Fictional demo data. Formulas use English function names and commas between arguments. Other spreadsheet locales may require semicolons. Check date recognition after importing.