WH-347 Excel Template: Free vs. Software in 2026
— WH347.io Team
A WH-347 Excel template seems like the obvious solution — free, familiar, no new software to learn. Here's an honest look at what a template can and can't do, and when it starts costing you more than it saves.
When federal contractors first encounter the WH-347 requirement, the first instinct is often to find a spreadsheet. Excel is already installed, it's free, and it's something you know. A WH-347 Excel template seems like the obvious starting point.
And for some contractors — particularly those just starting out, with one small project and a handful of workers — it's a reasonable place to begin. But the limitations of an Excel approach become apparent quickly, and in 2026 there's a specific problem with templates that every contractor needs to know about.
What a WH-347 Excel Template Is
A WH-347 Excel template is a spreadsheet formatted to match the layout of the DOL's Form WH-347. You enter data into the cells, the template calculates totals (if the formulas are set up correctly), and you either print it or export it as a PDF for submission. Some templates are simple grids. Others include drop-downs, auto-calculations for gross wages and deductions, and even a separate tab for the Statement of Compliance.
Where to Find Free WH-347 Templates
The DOL publishes the official WH-347 as a fillable PDF at dol.gov — not as an Excel file. The fillable PDF is free and is the official format. Excel templates are created by third parties: accounting firms, construction industry associations, and individual contractors who built their own and shared it. Quality varies significantly. Some are well-built; others have broken formulas, missing fields, or are based on an outdated form version.
The 2026 Problem: Form Expiration
This is the critical issue for anyone using an Excel template in 2026. The DOL issued a revised WH-347 in 2025 with a new OMB control number. The old form — including any Excel template built from it — carries an expiration date of September 30, 2026. Starting October 1, 2026, contracting agencies must reject submissions on the superseded form.
An Excel template does not update itself. If you downloaded a template before 2025, it reflects the old form layout and old Statement of Compliance language. When you submit reports generated from that template, you may be submitting on an expired form without realizing it. The OMB expiration date on the form itself is the tell — check the header of your template.
What Excel Templates Can't Do
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free WH-347 Excel template?
The DOL does not publish an official Excel template — the official free version is a fillable PDF available at dol.gov. Third-party Excel templates are available from accounting firms and industry associations, but quality varies, and templates built before 2025 may be based on the old form that expires September 30, 2026. Always verify the OMB control number to confirm you have the current form version.
Why won't a WH-347 Excel template work in 2026?
The DOL issued a revised WH-347 in 2025 with a new OMB control number. The old form expires September 30, 2026, and contracting agencies will reject submissions on the superseded version after that date. Excel templates don't update themselves — any template built from the old form still reflects the old layout and Statement of Compliance language.
What is the best free WH-347 form option?
The DOL's official fillable PDF at dol.gov is the best free option and is always the current version. WH347.io also offers a free Starter plan that generates completed WH-347 PDFs from timecard data, handling wage calculations, overtime, and fringe credits automatically — no PDF editing required.