Practical guide · RGT Software · Updated 18 October 2026
A window-cleaning round book needs to answer three questions: who is due, what you need to know at the property, and what happened on the last visit. You can keep that information on paper, in a spreadsheet or in an app. The important part is keeping it clear enough to use on a working morning.
This guide gives you a small, safe way to move from paper to an iPhone. Keep your original book while you check the new records. You do not need to move every customer on the first day.
What should a window-cleaning round book include?
Start with the details you actually use. A longer customer record is not automatically a more useful one.
- Customer or property name: something you recognise when you arrive.
- Address: house name or number, street, town and postcode.
- Round: the group of customers you usually work together.
- Repeat interval and next due date: how often the work repeats and when you intend to return.
- Work and access notes: what needs cleaning and any practical arrangement, such as a side gate.
- Usual charge: the agreed amount for the work, checked against your own records.
- Last visit: when you went, what was completed and anything to remember next time.
Keep a contact number only where you need it. Avoid saving alarm codes, passwords or unnecessary personal information in general notes. A due date is a reminder for your planning; it is not a promise that the customer has agreed to a timed appointment.
Move one round before moving the whole business
- Choose one small round that you know well.
- Check the names, addresses and repeat dates in your existing book.
- Separate unfinished work from jobs you have already completed.
- Add the customers to your new record system.
- Compare a few entries with the original book before working from them.
Keep your paper book or original spreadsheet until you are satisfied that the new records are right. Take time to check similar names and neighbouring properties so that one customer is not entered twice.
Set up your window-cleaning round in Pane Planner
Pane Planner is a window-cleaning round app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. It keeps rounds, customer details, due dates and visit history together. You can start on an iPhone without having a Mac.
- Open Pane Planner. If the first-round setup appears, enter a round name and the first customer or property, then choose Open Today.
- To add a round later on iPhone or iPad, open Rounds, choose the plus button, enter the name and choose Add round.
- Open Customers and choose the plus button to add another customer.
- Choose the round and enter the address, repeat interval, next due date and notes you need.
- Choose Add customer, then open the saved record to check it.
Starter supports one active round and up to 30 active customers. Some additional tools need Pane Planner Pro; check the App Store for current purchase terms. The full Pane Planner user guide covers the controls on iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Already have a customer spreadsheet?
You can bring customer records into Pane Planner from a CSV file. CSV is a plain-text copy of a spreadsheet, with one customer on each row. Save a separate copy in Excel or Numbers and keep the original workbook.
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then Storage and exports, and choose Import customers CSV. Match the columns and check the proposed changes before choosing Apply. Selecting a file does not immediately add its customers.
On Mac, start from Customers and choose Import. The customer import instructions explain how to review matches, correct errors and avoid duplicates. Start with a small file so that you can check the result.
Keep the round useful during the working day
Open Today to review due and overdue customers. Before travelling, open the customer record and check the address and access notes. Read the previous visit if there is something you need to follow up.
After the job, record what actually happened. A completed clean, a skipped visit and a deferred visit are different outcomes. Check the next due date rather than leaving a note that you will have to interpret later.
With Pro, you can prepare PDF invoices and job records from saved visits. You can also save customer and visit records as CSV files. Read how to record a visit and how to prepare customer paperwork when you are ready.
Before putting the paper book away
- Check several customer names, addresses and due dates against the original.
- Make sure completed work has not been left looking due.
- Check that you can find a previous visit and understand its notes.
- If you use more than one device, check that the records you need have arrived before relying on them.
- Keep the original book and spreadsheet while you settle into the new routine.
Pane Planner keeps records on the device by default. Optional private iCloud sync can keep supported records up to date on your devices using the same Apple Account. It needs an internet connection to transfer changes. Read the device and iCloud instructions before turning it on.
Common questions about a digital round book
Do I need an app to organise a small round?
No. Paper or a spreadsheet may be enough if it is clear, current and easy for you to use. An app becomes useful when you want customer details, repeat dates and visit history together without looking through separate records.
Can I move a few customers at a time?
Yes. Start with one round and check it in use. You can add more records as you become comfortable, within your current access limits.
Does an iPhone round book send messages to my customers?
Keeping a due date or recording a visit in Pane Planner does not automatically send a message. Agree any visit arrangements with the customer separately.
Can I plan on a Mac and use an iPhone outside?
Pane Planner is available on both. Optional private iCloud sync connects supported records when each device uses the same Apple Account and has sync enabled. Check that the changes have arrived before leaving an internet connection.
Try one round in Pane Planner
Start with a familiar customer and a round you can check against your existing book. Explore Pane Planner for window-cleaning rounds, or use the download links alongside this guide. If you need help, contact Pane Planner support.