A dividend calendar spreadsheet lists each holding with its ex-dividend date, payment date, payment frequency, and dividend per share, so you can see which month each payment lands and plan cash flow around it. In Excel, the MarketXLS add-in fills those columns with formulas such as =Ex_DividendDate("MSFT"), =DividendFrequency("MSFT"), and =DividendPerShare("MSFT"); multiply dividend per share by shares owned to get expected income per holding.
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Why investors use a dividend calendar
Dividends are an important source of income and cash flow for investors, especially during retirement when the need for a steady source of income is critical. Knowing when companies pay out their dividend is crucial for investors to maximize their income. That’s why an investor looks at the dividend calendar; it contains important dates such as when a company will announce their dividend and when the dividend will be paid, so investors know when to expect their dividend income. Additionally, the calendar usually offers other useful information, such as the amount of the dividend. The ex-dividend date matters most for buyers: you must own the stock before that date to receive the next payment.
What does a typical dividend calendar spreadsheet include?
A typical dividend calendar spreadsheet will include a breakdown of upcoming dividend payouts by stock ticker, date, frequency, amount, and sometimes more detailed information like payment types, yield, and ex-dividend date. This information can then be used to track future dividend payments and plan investments accordingly. Additionally, some dividend calendars may also include historical dividend payments and a summary of related news stories.
How to build a dividend cash flow calendar with MarketXLS
Put tickers in column A and shares owned in column B. Add columns for =Ex_DividendDate(A2), =DividendFrequency(A2), =DividendPerShare(A2) (trailing twelve months), and =DividendYield(A2). Expected annual income is =DividendPerShare(A2)*B2; divide by the number of payments per year to estimate each payment, then group rows by payment month to see cash flow at a glance. The functions update when the workbook recalculates.
Relevant MarketXLS functions on this topic
| Function Title | Function Example | Function Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Frequency | =DividendFrequency(“MSFT”) | How many times each year the company typically pays a regular dividend. |
| Dividend Payout Ratio | =DividendPayoutRatio(“MSFT”) | Returns the percentage of earnings that have been passed on to shareholders |
| Dividend Per Share TTM ($) | =DividendPerShare(“MSFT”) – Returns the TTM dividend for MSFT. | TTM dividend |
Browse the MarketXLS formula directory.
Sample workbook and related templates
For a general introduction, preview the sample Excel workbook.
Explore these existing templates in the MarketXLS library:
- Dividend Growth Model (Gordon Method)
- Comparable Sector Analysis
- Weiss Blue Chip Div Yield Screen
- Neff Screen
Browse all MarketXLS templates.
Relevant blogs that you can read to learn more about the topic
Dividend Growth Investing
Excel Tracker for Dividend Portfolio Monitoring
Create a Dividend Calendar Spreadsheet to Maximize Retirement Income
Exploring Top Blue Chip Dividend Stocks in 2021
