Why build your own
A shared list belongs to someone else: they can delete it, fill it with referral links or stop updating it. Searches for "how to make a dhgate spreadsheet", "dhgate spreadsheet template" and "dhgate spreadsheet filters" show plenty of buyers reach the same conclusion. Your own sheet only needs to cover what you actually want to buy, which makes it small enough to keep current.
The column layout
| Column | What to put in it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Item | Short plain name, e.g. "grey zip hoodie" | Search and sort |
| Photo | Image link or IMAGE() formula | Recognise rows at a glance |
| Platform | DHgate, Taobao, Weidian, 1688 | Decides direct vs agent |
| Seller | Store name | Survives item relisting |
| Seller rating / reviews | Score and count | Filters out risky shops |
| Price | Item price in one currency | Compare like for like |
| Shipping | Quoted cost or "agent" | True cost per item |
| Size notes | Chest, length or foot cm | Avoid returns |
| Link | Original marketplace link | Works on any agent |
| Checked | Date you last opened it | Spot stale rows |
Store the original marketplace link and the seller name, and your sheet survives agent closures.
Filters that save time
In Google Sheets, turn the header row into a filter and create two filter views: one showing only DHgate rows, which you order directly, and one showing Taobao, Weidian and 1688 rows, which go to an agent. Add conditional formatting to colour any "Checked" date older than sixty days. A third view sorted by price per item including shipping shows where consolidation pays off; our calculator helps with the shipping column.
Getting links in quickly
Paste a batch of links into the link sorter. It labels each with its platform and item ID and gives you comma-separated text you can paste straight into the sheet. Agent links from closed agents, such as CNFans, are converted back to the underlying item.
Keeping it alive
Once a month, open the rows you still care about. Delete anything dead rather than leaving it, update prices, and note the date. If a seller's rating drops or recent reviews turn negative, mark the row rather than deleting it, so you remember why. That habit is what separates a working list from the dead ones described on the 2025 archive page.
Sharing your sheet
If you share it, include the "Checked" column and keep original links rather than referral links. A list that shows its own freshness is the kind that passes the tests on our best DHgate spreadsheet page.
Optional columns for heavier users
If you order often, a few extra columns pay for themselves. "Weight (g)" lets you estimate agent shipping before you buy; sellers sometimes list it, otherwise agents record it in the warehouse. "Category" matters for EU buyers, since the €3 duty introduced on 1 July 2026 applies per item category in a parcel, so knowing you have shoes, a hoodie and a cap tells you the duty in advance. "Received" with a date and "Verdict" with a short note turn your sheet into a personal record of what worked.
A sample row
| Item | Platform | Seller | Rating | Price | Shipping | Size notes | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey zip hoodie | DHgate | (store name) | 4.8 / 1,200 | $22 | Included | Chest 58 cm, size up | 2026-10-01 |
| Canvas tote | Taobao | (store name) | Agent photos | ¥45 | Agent | 40 × 35 cm | 2026-10-01 |
Making it work on a phone
Most people check their sheet on a phone while browsing. Freeze the first column so the item name stays visible, put the link column near the left, and keep photos small. Google Sheets' mobile app supports filter views, so the DHgate-only and agent-only views still work.
Templates from other people
Some creators share blank templates with pre-filled agent formulas that rewrite links for their preferred agent. They save typing, but if that agent closes, every formula breaks at once. A template that stores the original link and adds agent links only as a separate column is more durable.
Turning the template into a habit
The template is only useful if you use it before buying, not after. Paste a link into the sheet first, fill in seller and rating, then decide. That pause is where most bad purchases get caught, and it gives you the data to compare routes with the calculator.
Common template mistakes
Three mistakes come up again and again. The first is mixing currencies in the price column, so a ¥90 item sorts above a $20 one; pick a single currency and convert. The second is storing only agent links, which break when the agent closes; keep the original marketplace link too. The third is never deleting rows, so the sheet slowly fills with dead links until it is as unreliable as the shared lists you were trying to replace. A monthly ten-minute clean-up avoids all three.
Once your template is set up, it also becomes the easiest way to share finds with friends: send a filtered view rather than the whole sheet, so they only see rows you have checked recently.
FAQ
Is there a free DHgate spreadsheet template?
Yes: the ten-column layout on this page works in Google Sheets or Excel.
Should I use agent links or original links?
Original Taobao or Weidian links; you can open them on any agent and they survive closures.
How do I show product photos in Google Sheets?
Use the IMAGE() function with the photo's web address.
How often should I update it?
Monthly for items you still want; delete dead rows.
Can I use Excel instead of Google Sheets?
Yes. Excel supports the same columns, filters and conditional formatting. Google Sheets is easier for sharing and for showing images with the IMAGE() function, which recent Excel versions also support.
How do I record agent shipping before I know the weight?
Leave the shipping cell as 'agent' and fill it after the warehouse weighs the item. Many agents show the weight on the warehouse photo page.
Should I include closed agents' links?
Keep them only as a source of the original item ID, and convert them before you buy.