Excel review workbook
Five sheets: Start Here, Performance Review, Goals & Actions, AI Review Prompt, and Help / FAQ. Record evidence, comments and priorities; track up to eight goals or actions.
FREE HR RESOURCE
Free Employee Performance Review Template for Excel
Run a structured employee review, record goals and actions, and optionally build a copy-ready AI prompt — no signup required.
Excel Performance Review Template + Editable Word Form + Printable PDF + AI Review Prompt Builder
Download Free — No Signup Required
One employee / one review at a time. No macros. AI is optional.
A clear record from preparation to follow-up
For HR managers, generalists, office managers and people managers who need a practical employee evaluation template for an individual review.
Word and printable forms
An editable Word review form, plus A4 and US Letter PDFs with writing space. Each covers details, evidence, discussion, goals, support and acknowledgement.
Prompt builder and instructions
The Excel builder and the browser tool below use Role + Task + Context + Output with safeguards. A five-page Start Here guide and one-page AI guide help you get started.
How to run a performance review
A review works best when it connects concrete evidence with the employee’s perspective and useful next steps.
Before the review
Confirm the review period and agreed responsibilities. Gather dated work examples, project outcomes and goals. Ask the employee for their perspective. Separate verified facts from impressions.
For example, “Delivered the September campaign on schedule” is more useful than “Shows commitment.” Add the evidence that supports your assessment.
During the review
Discuss achievements, strengths and development needs. Ask what helped, what was difficult and what support would make a difference. Record employee comments and corrections. Keep proposals separate from agreed conclusions.
Agree next steps
Set an achievable goal with a success measure, owner, support and target date. “Use a handover checklist reviewed before the next campaign” gives you something concrete to follow up.
Follow up
Schedule a check-in. Review progress and barriers, provide the agreed support and update the record when goals change. Complete the Word or PDF record manually and store it securely.
OPTIONAL AI SUPPORT
AI Performance Review Prompt Builder
This tool builds the prompt in your browser. It does not send your HR information to an AI service.
Use minimised context. Follow your organisation’s AI/privacy policy. Avoid unnecessary personal information and use placeholders. Paste only into an approved AI tool. Every result is a draft requiring human review.
All fields are optional. Missing context is marked “[Not supplied]”. Up to 1,200 characters per text field.
If copying is blocked, select the prompt text and use your device’s copy command. Verify the AI draft before use.
Managing More Than One Review?
The free tool focuses on individual performance reviews. The complete HR Manager Toolkit + AI Productivity System supports broader recurring HR work.
Free StarterComplete Toolkit
Free Starter: Individual employee reviewComplete Toolkit: Employee Directory, HR Dashboard and review-cycle tracking
Free Starter: Eight goals/actions for this reviewComplete Toolkit: Goals, one-to-ones and a central Actions register
Free Starter: Focused AI Review Prompt BuilderComplete Toolkit: AI Productivity Centre, 48 HR prompts, Prompt Chaining and guided workflows
Free Starter: One editable review form designComplete Toolkit: 22 editable HR form designs with A4 and US Letter PDFs
Free Starter: Performance review focusComplete Toolkit: Recruitment, candidate comparison, onboarding, 30/60/90 plans, cases, training, skills, leave and calendar
Want the Complete AI Method?
AI Productivity for HR Professionals by Mercer Lane explains the wider AI methodology, HR prompt library, workflows and advanced scenarios. The starter kit puts the book’s Role + Task + Context + Output approach to work on one review.
For related guidance, read the HR AI prompt formula and HR AI data privacy.
Frequently asked questions
What should be included in an employee performance review?
Record the employee’s role and review period, verified achievements, strengths, development needs, manager summary, employee comments, goals, agreed support and next check-in. Use work evidence and allow space for corrections.
Can I edit the Excel template?
Yes. The amber input cells are editable while formula cells and labels are protected. Save a separate copy for each review. The workbook is macro-free. Use Excel desktop; other spreadsheet apps require their own verification.
Is this performance review template really free?
Yes. Download the ZIP directly with no email, account, checkout or payment required. It focuses on one employee and one review at a time.
Do I need ChatGPT?
No. You can complete the review without AI. If you use the optional prompt, choose an AI tool approved by your organisation. No API key or AI subscription is required to build the prompt.
Does the AI Prompt Builder send my information anywhere?
The builder assembles the prompt locally in your browser. It does not submit your HR entries to a server or AI service, or save them in browser storage. If you accept analytics, we record only named usage events, never field contents or prompt text. Pasting the prompt into an AI tool is a separate action under that tool’s policy.
Is the template suitable for every country?
It uses general, jurisdiction-neutral wording. Adapt it to your organisation’s process and local requirements. It is not legal or employment-law advice, and it does not establish compliance.
Can I use PDF or Word instead of Excel?
Yes. The kit includes an editable three-page Word review form and printable three-page PDF forms in A4 and US Letter. Transfer the agreed notes manually; the files do not synchronise automatically.
What is included in the complete HR Manager Toolkit?
The paid toolkit expands to broader HR work: employee records, dashboards, review-cycle tracking, recruitment, onboarding, cases, training, skills, leave, a calendar, actions, 48 HR prompts, prompt chaining, guided workflows and 22 editable HR form designs.