Spreadsheet Models for Managers


Getting Access to Spreadsheet Models for Managers


If Spreadsheet Models for Managersyou use Excel to model businesses, business processes, or business transactions, this course will change your life. You’ll learn how to create tools for yourself that will amaze even you. Unrestricted use of this material is available in two ways.

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Order "Spreadsheet Models for Managers, on-line edition, one month" by credit card, for USD 69.95 each, using our secure server, and receive download instructions by return email.
Order "Spreadsheet Models for Managers, on-line edition, three months" by credit card, for USD 199.00 each, using our secure server, and receive download instructions by return email.
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Make your check payable to Chaco Canyon Consulting, for the amount indicated:
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Chaco Canyon Consulting
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To use the course software you’ll need some other applications, which you very probably already have. By placing your order, you’re confirming that you have the software you need, as described on this site.

Spreadsheet Models for Managers

Non-uniform future value 9/8
Session Links
  • Future value with non-uniform payments can be computed period-by-period. The technique relies on linearity:
    • The future value of a sum is the sum of the future values
  • Example F.
    • Interest over a 4-year period is 4% (compounded annually)
    • Payments are 2,500; 2,500; 3,200; 4,200, made at the beginning of each period.
    • How much is available at the end of year 4?
  • When payments are made at the beginning of the period, fv is equivalent to Convolve (Example G)
    • Convolve may be more convenient for non-uniform payments
    • Interest rate must be constant

So what do you do if the payments are non-uniform? It turns out that Convolve can help, but only if interest is constant and the payments are made at the beginning of the period.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Apr-2016 04:15:26 EDT

Nesting Worksheet Function Calls

Nesting invocations of worksheet functions can be a bit tricky, because nested function calls are difficult to think about. Sometimes, in developing a spreadsheet model, we can gain clarity by avoiding nesting. That is, while we’re still thinking about how to approach a modeling problem, we intentionally choose to avoid nesting function calls. After we understand the problem better — and only then — we might go back and replace what we’ve done with a more compact version that exploits nesting. In addition to producing forms that are easier to think about, this practice of developing a simpler form first has another benefit. It enables us to examine intermediate values more easily, which enables us to confirm that the calculations we’re performing make sense.

Some feel that building something that you intend to replace is a waste of effort — that it’s far easier to build things in final form from the start. When that approach works, it is faster and more efficient. But when we think we’re likely to make mistakes, the “slower” way is faster.

Do You Know What a Dynamic Model Is?

In years past, we’ve learned that what makes a model dynamic — as opposed to static — can be difficult to grasp. If you have some doubts yourself, and you haven’t yet looked at the reading on Models vs. Tools, we believe that you will find it helpful.