I wonder if you are recording too much?
A lack of being able to sort/rank might be an issue with paper notes.
I use XL/Google sheets, use a laptop/PC, transfer paper notes for the brew parameters, have a numerical score for each parameter, then you can sort by whatever field you like, a score for overall liking is essential, no need to go mad and score each coffee to decimal places, it’s quantitative data we’re looking for..
For the minutiae/details you could have a catch all text box.
I’d definitely start with:
Date,
Number of the shot that day
Roaster
Origin
Grinder
Setting
Dose (weighed after grinding)
Water (if you experiment & change this)
Temp
Preinfusion time (and bar if desired)
Total shot time (and bar if desired)
Output (a simple formula will work out ratio)
Comment/Remedial action.
Process, varietal, details of the aspects of the shot could go in a text box (not rankable, but still searchable).
I’d avoid making the sheet too wide, at least wide enough to see the basics, or the lines to deep, otherwise it’s apain to view. Sort date & number of brew in reverse order so you don’t need to scroll to the bottom every time you open it. Insert formulas to average the scores/parameters at the very top.
