The Spreadsheet Game Master

I thought I would share a little about a tool I find invaluable to game mastering: the spread sheet. Now, before I get started, I'm sure there are some spreadsheet gurus out there who will take umbrage with my manner of employing a spreadsheet, suggesting I'm just making lists and tables, which are more suited to other applications. To them I say, meh.

To begin with, here is a list of the different tabs I have for my current campaign spreadsheet:

1. General Notes (These are administrative notes that I intend to share at the beginning of each session.)
2. Scenarios (This is a long list of potential scenarios. Some scenarios are dependent on previous scenarios. Most are not.)
3. Settlements (These are places that I can insert quickly into the game with decent background and story fodder.)
4. NPCs (with background and stats)
5. Monsters (with stats)
6. Enemies (This is a broader list of potential baddies with no stats added yet.)
7. Names (pre-generated names I can use extemporaneously)
8. Gear
9. Loot
10. Rumors
11. Radiation (This is a game-based table for GM eyes only.)
12. Powers (The definitive psionic powers available to alien characters.)
13. PCs (with background, stats and story hook ideas)
14. Minis (This is a list of paper miniatures I need to create.)

Sometimes, I will keep everything purely electronic, but often I will print out certain spreadsheets because it can be easier on the game table to simply flip through a few sheets, make notes and not worry about your PC or cable getting in the way of the action.

The beauty of the spreadsheet, for those still living in the pre-PC era who haven't heard, is the ability to sort, re-arrange and inter-link. And formulas can come in handy sometimes too. The needs of a good RPG campaign change a lot, and it's just plain nice to be able to move stuff around, insert new material and just monkey with the overall organization easily.