Step 1: Establish Your Core Order Table
Create a table with every order as a row. Core columns include: Order_ID, Product_SKU, Supplier, Order_Date, Quantity, Unit_Cost.
LoveGoBuy Spreadsheet: Your Unified Dashboard for QC and Shipping Data
2026-01-04
Combine QC Notes and Freight Information for a 360-Degree View of Order Health
For e-commerce entrepreneurs and sourcing agents, managing orders involves juggling two critical streams of data: Quality Control (QC)Shipping/Freight. Traditionally, these live in separate silos—QC notes in one spreadsheet, tracking numbers and costs in another. This fragmentation obscures the complete picture, leading to delays, unexpected costs, and customer dissatisfaction. The LoveGoBuy Spreadsheet methodology solves this by merging these datasets into a single, powerful dashboard.
The Problem: Disconnected Data
Operating with separate systems creates blind spots:
- Inefficient Troubleshooting:
- Financial Opaque:
- Poor Customer Communication:
- Financial Opaque:
The Solution: A Unified Dashboard in Your Spreadsheet
The LoveGoBuy Spreadsheet approach involves structuring a single master sheet (or linked sheets within one workbook) that serves as a central command center. Here’s how to build it:
Step 2: Integrate QC Data Module
Add columns directly adjacent to the core data for QC status. Essential columns are:
QC_StatusQC_DateQC_NotesQC_Rework_CostRevised_Ship_Date_From_Warehouse
Step 3: Integrate Shipping & Freight Data Module
Continue adding columns for the logistics phase:
Freight_MethodTracking_NumberFreight_CostWarehouse_Release_DateEstimated_Delivery_DateActual_Delivery_DateCustoms_Status
Step 4: Create Derived Columns for the 360-Degree View
This is where the magic happens. Use formulas to create calculated fields that merge insights from both modules:
Total_Order_Cost: =Unit_CostQuantityQC_Rework_CostFreight_CostQC_to_Shipping_Lag_Days: = Difference betweenRevised_Ship_DateWarehouse_Release_Date. (Highlights QC delays).Overall_Status: = A combined status using IF/AND logic (e.g., "QC Failed - On Hold", "In Transit", "Delivered - QC Passed").Performance_Flag: = Flags for "At Risk" orders (e.g., QC failed but shipped anyway, significant cost overrun, delayed ETAs).
Gained Insights & Benefits
Holistic Order Health
See at a glance if an order is "healthy" (QC Pass + On-Time Shipping) or "at-risk" across multiple dimensions.
Accurate Cost & Profit Analysis
Calculate true landed cost per order, identifying hidden cost drivers like frequent QC failures for a specific supplier.
Proactive Management
Filter for all orders where QC_Status = "Fail"Freight_Method
Supplier Performance
Pivot tables can now correlate supplier data with QC fail rates and associated shipping delays, empowering better sourcing decisions.
Pro Tip: Use Conditional Formatting
Make your dashboard visual. Apply rules like:
- Red fillQC_Status = "Fail".
- Yellow fillEstimated_Delivery_DateActual_Delivery_Date
- Green borderTotal_Order_Cost
This instantly directs attention to critical issues.