Microsoft Office

Creating Formulas for Financial Applications 16
To create this two-way data table, follow these steps:
1. Enter a formula that returns the results that will be used in the data table. In this example,
the formula is in cell B6. The formulas in B7:B8 are not used.
2. Enter various values for the first input in successive columns. In this example, the first input
value is interest rate, and the values for various interest rates appear in C10:I10.
FIGURE 16.8
Using a two-way data table to display payment amounts for various loan amounts and
interest rates.
3. Enter various values for the second input cell in successive rows, to the left and below the
input values for the first input. In this example, the second input value is loan amount, and the
values for various loan amounts are in B11:B16.
4. Create a reference to the formula that will be calculated in the table. This reference goes in
the upper-left corner of the data table range. In this example, cell B10 contains the following
formula:
=B6
5. Select the rectangular range that contains the entries from the previous steps. In this example,
select B10:I16.
6. Choose Data ➪ Data Tools ➪ What-If Analysis ➪ Data Table. Excel displays the Data Table
dialog box.
7. For the Row input cell field, specify the cell reference that corresponds to the first input
cell. In this example, the Row input cell is B2.
8. For the Column input cell field, specify the cell reference that corresponds to the second
input cell. In this example, the Row input cell is B1.
9. Click OK. Excel inserts an array formula that uses the TABLE function with two arguments.
After you create the two-way data table, you can change the calculated cell by changing the cell reference in
the upper-left cell of the data table. In this example, you can change the formula in cell B10 to =B8 so that
the data table displays total interest rather than payment amounts.
TIP
If you create very large data tables, the calculation speed of your workbook may be slowed
down. Excel has a special calculation mode for calculation-intensive data tables. To change the
calculation mode, choose Formulas ➪ Calculation ➪ Calculation Options ➪ Automatic Except For Data
Tables.
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