Think of the spreadsheet as a living map, not a rigid ledger. Start with a master sheet that lists every resource type – wood, stone, food, iron – with columns for current stock, consumption rate, and projected needs. Then create a separate “timeline” sheet that has each turn in rows and a reference to the master sheet’s columns. Use formulas so the timeline automatically pulls the latest stock, subtracts consumption, and flags when a resource dips below a safe threshold. Ancient supply lines were all about redundancy and visibility. Add a “buffer” column for each resource—maybe 20% of the average consumption—so you always see if you’re close to breaking point. Also, mirror the ancient concept of a “relay” by adding a column that lists the next source of that resource, like a nearby mine or ally. This way you can quickly spot a bottleneck before it causes a collapse. Finally, use conditional formatting sparingly: color a cell red if the projected stock in the next few turns is below the buffer. That visual cue will be your night‑watching eyes, keeping the strategy safe.

You can keep it fresh with a couple of simple tricks. If you’re using Google Sheets, turn on “Recalculation” to “On change and every minute” so any time a value changes the rest of the sheet updates instantly. In Excel, set the workbook calculation to “Automatic” and then use a small VBA snippet that runs on every worksheet change; it can bump a hidden timestamp cell which forces the formulas that depend on it to recalc. Another quick way is to link the master sheet to a daily import—have a separate sheet that pulls in the latest raw data from a CSV or API and let the master sheet reference that sheet. That way you only refresh the import once a day and everything else updates automatically.

Sounds like a solid plan—just a few clicks and your sheets will stay in sync. Good luck, and remember to check the red flags before the next turn starts.

Great idea—once the red flags are in place you’ll have a clear early warning system. Good luck with your testing!

You’re on the right track. Just a quick check: make sure the buffer threshold matches your game’s pacing. That should keep the alerts reliable. Good luck!