How to Make Queue Numbers in Excel, and a Free Alternative

Paper queue numbers, or tokens, are the simplest way to keep a queue in order. You can make the cards yourself with a spreadsheet.

In Excel

1. In cell A1, type =“A”&TEXT(ROW(),“000”). It shows A001.
2. Select the cell, then drag the small square at its bottom right corner down to row 100. Excel fills in A002, A003, and so on.
3. Make the font large, for example size 72, and add borders so the cards are easy to cut.
4. Print, then cut along the borders.

Typing A001 and dragging it down also works, since Excel continues the numbers. The formula is handy when you want to start at a different number: change ROW() to ROW()+100 to start at A101.

In Google Sheets

The same formula works. Type =“A”&TEXT(ROW(),“000”) in A1, then drag down or double-click the fill handle. Use File → Print and turn on gridlines, or add borders, before you print.

Four columns per page

A single column wastes paper. To fit more cards per sheet, put the formula in four columns and count across them:

• A1: *=“A”&TEXT((ROW()-1)4+1,“000”)
• B1: *=“A”&TEXT((ROW()-1)4+2,“000”)
• C1: *=“A”&TEXT((ROW()-1)4+3,“000”)
• D1: *=“A”&TEXT((ROW()-1)4+4,“000”)

Fill all four down 25 rows for A001 to A100.

Tips for paper numbers

• Laminate the cards so you can reuse them, and collect them after each customer is served.
• Use a color per service, such as blue for registration and green for the cashier.
• Show the number being served on a board so customers know their place.

When to switch to a free queue app

Paper numbers don’t tell customers how long they have left, and customers have to stay near the counter so they aren’t missed. If your queue is busy every day, a queue app makes numbers without paper, shows each customer their place on their phone, and can call numbers on a TV with voice. WaitYa does this for free, with no app for customers to install. See Taking numbers and printing tickets.