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FVSCHEDULE

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about the FVSCHEDULE formula in Microsoft Excel. The FVSCHEDULE function is a financial formula that calculates the future value of an investment based on a series of varying interest rates. This function is particularly useful for investors who want to determine the future value of their investments when interest rates change over time.

FVSCHEDULE Syntax

The syntax for the FVSCHEDULE function in Excel is as follows:

=FVSCHEDULE(principal, schedule)

Where:

  • principal (required) – This is the initial amount of the investment, also known as the present value.
  • schedule (required) – This is an array or a reference to a range of cells containing the interest rates for each period. The interest rates should be expressed as decimal values (e.g., 0.05 for 5%).

FVSCHEDULE Examples

Let’s take a look at some examples of how to use the FVSCHEDULE function in Excel:

Example 1: Calculating the future value of an investment with varying interest rates

Suppose you have an initial investment of $10,000 and you want to calculate its future value after 3 years, with the following interest rates for each year: 5%, 7%, and 4%. You can use the FVSCHEDULE function as follows:

=FVSCHEDULE(10000, {0.05, 0.07, 0.04})

This formula will return the future value of the investment, which is $11,873.60.

Example 2: Using a cell range for the interest rate schedule

If you have the interest rates in a range of cells, you can use a cell reference instead of an array in the FVSCHEDULE function. For example, if the interest rates are in cells A1:A3, you can use the following formula:

=FVSCHEDULE(10000, A1:A3)

This formula will return the same result as in Example 1, which is $11,873.60.

FVSCHEDULE Tips & Tricks

  • Remember to express the interest rates as decimal values. For example, if the interest rate is 5%, you should enter it as 0.05.
  • If you have the interest rates as percentages in your worksheet, you can convert them to decimal values by dividing them by 100. For example, if the interest rate is in cell A1, you can use the formula =A1/100 to convert it to a decimal value.
  • You can use the FVSCHEDULE function with other financial functions in Excel, such as the PV (present value) and FV (future value) functions, to perform more complex calculations.

Common Mistakes When Using FVSCHEDULE

  • Using the wrong data type for the interest rate schedule: Make sure to use an array or a cell range containing decimal values for the interest rates.
  • Forgetting to convert percentage values to decimal values: If you have the interest rates as percentages, remember to convert them to decimal values before using them in the FVSCHEDULE function.
  • Not using the correct syntax for the FVSCHEDULE function: Ensure that you follow the correct syntax, which is =FVSCHEDULE(principal, schedule).

Why Isn’t My FVSCHEDULE Working?

If your FVSCHEDULE function is not working as expected, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

  • Check for any errors in the formula, such as incorrect cell references or missing parentheses.
  • Ensure that the interest rate schedule is in the correct format (either an array or a cell range containing decimal values).
  • Make sure that the principal value is a positive number.
  • Verify that the interest rates are expressed as decimal values, not percentages.

FVSCHEDULE: Related Formulae

Here are some related financial functions in Excel that you might find useful:

  • PV: This function calculates the present value of an investment based on a constant interest rate and a series of equal payments.
  • FV: This function calculates the future value of an investment based on a constant interest rate and a series of equal payments.
  • IPMT: This function calculates the interest payment for a given period of an investment based on a constant interest rate and a series of equal payments.
  • PPMT: This function calculates the principal payment for a given period of an investment based on a constant interest rate and a series of equal payments.
  • NPER: This function calculates the number of periods for an investment based on a constant interest rate, a series of equal payments, and a present and future value.

By understanding and mastering the FVSCHEDULE function in Excel, you can perform advanced financial calculations and make informed decisions about your investments. With this comprehensive guide, you should now have all the information you need to use the FVSCHEDULE function effectively.

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