What spreadsheets do well
- Totals: weight, volume and pallet counts
- Fixed templates for loads that repeat exactly
- Easy sharing and no new software to learn
Where spreadsheets break down
- They add up volume but cannot tell whether items actually fit together
- Stacking rules and mixed heights live in someone's head, not the file
- Axle weight depends on position, which a list of items does not have
- Complex sheets rely on one person who understands the formulas
- There is no picture for the forklift driver, so loads are built differently from the plan
- Hidden tabs and copied formulas drift out of date
Signs it is time to switch
- Trucks leave with space to spare, or an extra truck is booked just in case
- Loads are rebuilt at the dock because the plan did not fit
- Axle overloads or restraint questions come up at the weighbridge or from customers
- Only one or two people can plan loads
- You need records of how each load was planned
Moving from Excel to TRUXE
You do not have to start from scratch. TRUXE imports item lists from CSV and Excel, keeps a product library so dimensions are entered once, and exports an Excel manifest as well as the PDF plan, so it slots into existing paperwork. For businesses with complex spreadsheets, TRUXE can set up your products and vehicles during onboarding.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plan truck loads in Excel?
You can total weights and count pallets in Excel, but it cannot check whether mixed items physically fit, how they stack, or how weight sits over the axles.
Can load planning software import my Excel file?
TRUXE imports item lists from CSV and Excel files and exports an Excel manifest with each plan.
Is load planning software expensive?
It varies. TRUXE has a free daily plan for guests and free accounts, with paid plans for teams that plan loads every day.