How do you manage/track and keep a handle on your collection

[frankbmd]

Things to Consider when creating your Spreadsheet(s) or Data Base

Number of Acquisition
Date of Acquisition
Name and Pose
Type
Team
Images (may dropped into spreadsheet cells on my Mac)*
Number in Set (if applicable)
Back Type (if applicable)
Grading Co. (if applicable)
Grade (Given or Raw Estimate)
Serial No of Graded card
Variation or subset
HOF
Southern Leagues
Cost
Duplicates (Y/N)
Keepers
Traders with Value
Storage Location
Need List
Date of Sale
Price

All of the above categories may be sorted
Alphabetical
By Type
By Team
By grade
By Back
By Cost
By Type
By Storage Location
etc, etc, etc
Various sorts can be restored if a numerical index column is created for each sort

*Images slow down file manipulation and I use them only on my storage spreadsheet.

Having said all this, I maintain multiple spreadsheets which although cumbersome allows me to answer questions I have and/or find cards more quickly, without sorting and unsorting continually. Data entry in 10-12 different locations does require more time though. Consistent columns of basic info facilitates copying and pasting to multiple spreadsheets

If you have boxes and closets full of cards and want to start this process, set aside a couple of months.

It is nice to know what you have, where it is and what it is worth.