Free Production Order Tracking Log (Excel)

Track every production order against its plan, and see which ones are running late.

By Apparel Search · Updated October 2026

When you have several orders in production, you need one place to see where each stands. This free Excel log has a row for each order with its planned dates (fabric in, production start, ex-factory and delivery to you) and the actual dates as they happen. It works out the days late, flags orders that have passed their planned delivery date, and totals orders, units, deliveries and average lateness. Rows turn red when past the planned delivery, amber when delivered late and green when delivered on time.

Free downloadDownload Excel log (.xlsx)Free to use in your own business. Please do not sell or republish the file as your own. Opens in Microsoft Excel, and can also be opened in Google Sheets or LibreOffice, though some formatting may differ. The sheets are protected without a password so formulas and the Apparel Search credit are not overwritten by accident. To customize, choose Review > Unprotect Sheet.

Plan the dates first with the T&A Calendar Template or the Production Timeline Planner.

1. Add a row for each order

Enter the PO number, a short description, the factory, the number of units and the PO date.

2. Enter the planned dates

Fill in the planned dates for fabric in, production start, ex-factory and delivery to you. Use the dates from your T&A calendar, so you are tracking against a real plan.

3. Record actual dates as they happen

When fabric arrives, goods leave the factory and the order is delivered, enter the actual date. Do it the same day, so the log stays accurate.

4. Set the status and next action

Choose a status (on track, at risk, delayed, shipped or delivered) from your own judgment, and write the next action. The Auto flag is calculated from the dates and does not depend on your judgment.

5. Read the days late and the summary

Days late compares the actual delivery with the planned delivery, or today while the order has not arrived. The summary shows orders, units, how many were delivered, how many are past their planned delivery, how many arrived late and the average days late.

Common mistakes

Not recording actual dates, so the log shows orders as late when they are not.
Changing the planned dates after the fact, which hides the delay.
Tracking without a real plan to compare against.
Forgetting to update the status.

Questions

Is this production tracking log free?

Yes. It is free to use in your own business. Please do not sell or republish the file as your own.

How are days late calculated?

If the order has been delivered, it is the actual delivery date minus the planned delivery date, with a minimum of zero. If not, it is today minus the planned delivery date.

What is ex-factory?

The date goods leave the factory, ready for shipping.

How many orders can I track?

Up to 40 rows. To track more, unprotect the sheet with Review, Unprotect Sheet, and copy the last row down.

Keep going

For general information only. These templates are starting points for general use and are not legal, financial or compliance advice. Confirm specifications and requirements with your factory and qualified professionals. Apparel Search does not endorse any company listed in its directory. See our Legal page.