
712
APPENDIX A Using Spreadsheets
and
Microsoft
ExceJ
©
VDB (Variable Declining Balance)
Calculates the depreciation using the declining balance method with a
sw
itch
to
straight line depreciation in the year in which straight line has a larger deprecia-
tion amount. This function automatically implements the switch from
DB
to
SL depreciation, unless specifically instructed
to
not switch.
=VDB
(cost, salvage, life, starCperiod, end_period, factor, no_switch)
cost
salvage
life
start_period
end_period
factor
First cost
of
the asset.
Salvage value.
Depreciation lif
e.
First period for depreciation to be calculated.
Last period for depreciation to be calculated.
(optional entry)
If
omitted, the function will use the
double declining rate
of
2/
n, or twice the straight
line rate.
Other entries define the declining balance
method, for example,
l.5
for 150% declining balance.
(optional entry)
If
omitted or entered as FALSE, the
function will switch from declining balance to
straight line depreciation when the latter is greater
than DB depreciation.
If
entered as TRUE, the
function will not switch to
SL depreciation at any
time during the depreciation life.
Example Newly purchased equipment with a first cost
of
$300,000 has a
depreciable life
of
10
years with no salvage value. Calculate the 175% declining
balance depreciation for the first year and the ninth year
if
switching
to
SL de-
preciation is acceptable, and
if
switching is not permitted.
Depreciation for first year, with switching: =VDB(300000,0,10,0,1,1.75)
Depreciation for ninth year, with switching: =VDB(300000,0,1O,8,9,1.75)
Depreciation for first year,
no
switching: = VDB(300000,0, 1 0,0, 1,1.75, TR UE)
Depreciation for ninth year,
no
switching: = VDB(300000,0, 10,8,9, 1.75,TRUE)
A.4
SOLVER-AN
EXCEL
TOOL
FOR BREAKEVEN
AND
"WHAT
IF?" ANALYSIS
SOLVER is a powerful tool used to change the value in one or more cells based
upon a specified (target) cell value.
It
is especially helpful in performing
breakeven and sensitivity analysis
to
answer "what
if"
questions. The SOLVER
template is shown in Figure
A-2.
Set Target Cell box. Enter a cell reference or name. The target cell itself must
contain a formula or function. The value
in
the cell can be maximized (Max),
minimized (Min), or restricted
to
a specified value (Value of).
By
Changing Cells box. Enter the cell reference for each cell
to
be adjusted,
using commas between nonadjacent cells. Each cell must be directly or indirectly
related
to
the target cell. SOLVER proposes a value for the changing cell based