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Guide · Invoicing
Name-your-price invoicing in Excel
Some freelancers lock a fixed fee. Others invite clients to name a price or add a tip. Excel can do both — as long as the amount due is obvious on the invoice.
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Fixed invoice vs name-your-price
| Fixed invoice | Name-your-price / PWYW | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount due | You set it; client pays that number | You suggest a range or floor; client chooses |
| Cash flow | Predictable | Variable — only if you can afford variance |
| Invoice wording | Line items + hard total | Suggested amount + optional tip / “pay what fits” |
| Best if | B2B clients, retainers, clear scope | Community work, experiments, soft launches |
Excel makes the amount due obvious
Fuzzy pricing is a conversation. The invoice is the record. Whether you lock a fixed fee or invite a name-your-price tip after delivery, the spreadsheet should show: what was delivered, what is suggested, what is owed, and the due date. Blank “TBD” totals confuse bookkeepers and delay payment.
Practical patterns
- Fixed default: Scope → quote → invoice with line items and tax if needed
- Suggested + tip: Show a recommended amount; optional “additional support” line
- Hybrid: Fixed deposit on invoice #1; name-your-price tip only after delivery — never mix unclear totals with a hard due date
Related SoloDesk guides
- Freelance invoice tools compared
- Wave accounting vs Excel invoice
- QuickBooks Self-Employed alternatives
Yellowcell freelance invoice kit
Sole Ledger: invoice sheet, Schedule C-style expense log, 2026 mileage — one Excel workbook, yellow input cells, no macros. Soft path when you want clear amounts due without another invoicing subscription.