Master Financial Modeling Using Excel and VBA: Books, Videos, and Exercises
Financial Modeling Using Excel and VBA PDF Download
Financial modeling is a skill that is in high demand in the modern financial industry. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, you can benefit from learning how to create and analyze financial models using Excel and VBA. In this article, we will explain what financial modeling is, why it is important, how to use Excel and VBA for financial modeling, and where to find and download PDF resources for financial modeling using Excel and VBA.
Financial Modeling Using Excel And Vba Pdf Download
What is financial modeling and why is it important?
Financial modeling is the process of creating a mathematical representation of a real-world financial situation or scenario. Financial models are used for various purposes, such as:
Valuing a company, a project, or an asset
Forecasting revenues, expenses, cash flows, or profits
Evaluating different investment options or strategies
Performing risk analysis or sensitivity analysis
Optimizing business decisions or policies
Financial modeling is important because it helps us understand the past, present, and future performance of a business or an investment. It also helps us communicate our assumptions, expectations, and recommendations to others. Financial modeling can enhance our analytical skills, critical thinking skills, and problem-solving skills.
Definition and examples of financial modeling
A financial model is usually built using a spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel. A financial model consists of three main components:
Inputs: These are the data, assumptions, parameters, or variables that are used to create the model. Inputs can be historical or projected, quantitative or qualitative, deterministic or stochastic.
Calculations: These are the formulas, functions, or algorithms that are used to manipulate the inputs and generate the outputs. Calculations can be simple or complex, linear or nonlinear, static or dynamic.
Outputs: These are the results, outcomes, or conclusions that are derived from the calculations. Outputs can be numerical or graphical, single or multiple, summary or detailed.
An example of a simple financial model is a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. A DCF model is used to estimate the present value of a future stream of cash flows. A DCF model has three inputs: the expected cash flows in each period (CF), the discount rate (r), and the number of periods (n). The calculation is based on the formula: PV = CF / (1 + r)^n. The output is the present value (PV) of the cash flows.
Benefits and challenges of financial modeling
Financial modeling has many benefits, such as:
It allows us to quantify and measure the impact of various factors on a financial situation or scenario.
It enables us to compare and contrast different alternatives or scenarios based on objective criteria.
It facilitates us to test our assumptions and hypotheses using what-if analysis or scenario analysis.
It supports us to communicate our findings and recommendations using charts, tables, or dashboards.
However, financial modeling also has some challenges, such as:
It requires a lot of data, which may not be available, reliable, or consistent.
It involves a lot of assumptions, which may not be accurate, realistic, or consistent.
It depends on a lot of calculations, which may not be correct, robust, or efficient.
It produces a lot of outputs, which may not be relevant, clear, or actionable.
Therefore, financial modeling requires a lot of skills, knowledge, and experience to create and use effectively and efficiently.
How to use Excel and VBA for financial modeling
Excel is one of the most popular and powerful tools for financial modeling. Excel has many features and functions that can help us create and analyze financial models, such as:
Worksheet functions: These are built-in formulas that can perform various calculations, such as arithmetic, logical, statistical, financial, date and time, text, lookup and reference, etc.
Data tools: These are features that can help us manage and manipulate data, such as sorting, filtering, subtotaling, grouping, pivoting, consolidating, validating, etc.
Chart tools: These are features that can help us visualize and present data, such as line charts, bar charts, pie charts, scatter charts, etc.
What-if tools: These are features that can help us perform what-if analysis or scenario analysis, such as Goal Seek, Solver, Data Table, Scenario Manager, etc.
VBA is the programming language of Excel. VBA stands for Visual Basic for Applications. VBA can help us enhance and automate our financial models using Excel. VBA has many applications for financial modeling, such as:
User-defined functions: These are custom-made formulas that can perform calculations that are not available in the worksheet functions.
Macros: These are recorded or written codes that can perform tasks that are repetitive or complex.
User forms: These are graphical user interfaces that can interact with the user and the model.
Add-ins: These are extensions that can add new features or functions to Excel.
Excel features and functions for financial modeling
To illustrate some of the Excel features and functions that can be used for financial modeling, let us consider a simple example of a DCF model. Suppose we want to estimate the present value of a project that is expected to generate $10 million in cash flow per year for 5 years. The discount rate is 10%. We can use the following steps to create a DCF model using Excel:
Create a new workbook and name it DCF Model.xlsx.
In cell A1, type Project Name and in cell B1, type Project A.
In cell A2, type Discount Rate and in cell B2, type 10%.
In cell A3, type Cash Flow and in cell B3:C7, type 10 (in millions).
In cell A8, type Present Value and in cell B8:C8, type =NPV(B2,B3:C7).
Select cell B8:C8 and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to enter the formula as an array formula.
In cell D8:E8, type =SUM(B8:C8).
The result should look like this:
Project Name Project A --- --- Discount Rate 10% Cash Flow 10 10 10 10 10 Present Value 9.09 8.26 7.51 6.83 6.21 Total Present Value 37.90 We can see that the present value of the project is $37.9 million. We can also see how the present value of each cash flow decreases over time due to the discounting effect. We used the following Excel features and functions to create this model:
We used cell references to link the inputs and outputs of the model.
We used formatting options to format the cells with currency symbols and percentage signs.
We used the NPV function to calculate the present value of a series of cash flows at a given discount rate.
We used an array formula to apply the NPV function to multiple columns of cash flows at once.
We used the SUM function to calculate the total present value of all cash flows.
VBA basics and applications for financial modeling
and applications for financial modeling, let us consider a simple example of a macro that can automate the DCF model we created using Excel. Suppose we want to create a macro that can perform the following tasks:
Ask the user to enter the project name, the discount rate, and the number of years of cash flows.
Create a new worksheet and name it with the project name.
Enter the discount rate and the cash flows in the worksheet.
Calculate the present value and the total present value of the cash flows using the NPV function and the SUM function.
Format the cells with currency symbols and percentage signs.
Create a chart that shows the cash flows and the present value of the cash flows.
We can use the following steps to create a macro using VBA:
Open the DCF Model.xlsx workbook and press Alt+F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor.
Insert a new module and name it DCF Macro.
In the module, type the following code:
Sub DCF_Macro() 'Declare variables Dim ProjectName As String Dim DiscountRate As Double Dim Years As Integer Dim CashFlow As Double Dim i As Integer Dim ws As Worksheet Dim rng As Range Dim ch As Chart 'Get user input ProjectName = InputBox("Enter project name:") DiscountRate = InputBox("Enter discount rate:") Years = InputBox("Enter number of years of cash flows:") 'Create new worksheet Set ws = Worksheets.Add ws.Name = ProjectName 'Enter discount rate and cash flows ws.Range("A1").Value = "Discount Rate" ws.Range("B1").Value = DiscountRate ws.Range("A2").Value = "Cash Flow" For i = 1 To Years CashFlow = InputBox("Enter cash flow for year " & i & ":") ws.Cells(2, i + 1).Value = CashFlow Next i 'Calculate present value and total present value ws.Range("A3").Value = "Present Value" ws.Range("B3:C7").FormulaArray = "=NPV(B1,B2:C6)" ws.Range("D3:E7").Formula = "=SUM(B3:C7)" ws.Range("A4").Value = "Total Present Value" 'Format cells ws.Range("B1:E7").NumberFormat = "$#,##0.00" ws.Range("B1").NumberFormat = "0.00%" 'Create chart Set rng = ws.Range("B2:E7") Set ch = Charts.Add ch.SetSourceData Source:=rng, PlotBy:=xlColumns ch.ChartType = xlLineMarkers ch.HasTitle = True ch.ChartTitle.Text = "DCF Model for " & ProjectName ch.Axes(xlCategory).HasTitle = True ch.Axes(xlCategory).AxisTitle.Text = "Year" ch.Axes(xlValue).HasTitle = True ch.Axes(xlValue).AxisTitle.Text = "Amount" End Sub
Save and close the Visual Basic Editor.
Press Alt+F8 to open the Macro dialog box.
Select DCF_Macro and click Run.
The macro will run and create a new worksheet with the DCF model and a chart for any project name, discount rate, and number of years of cash flows that you enter. We used the following VBA features and functions to create this macro:
We used variables to store values that can change during the execution of the macro.
We used input boxes to get user input from dialog boxes.
We used worksheet objects and range objects to manipulate worksheets and cells.
We used formulas to calculate values using worksheet functions.
We used number formats to format cells with currency symbols and percentage signs.
We used chart objects to create and customize charts.
Where to find and download PDF resources for financial modeling using Excel and VBA
If you want to learn more about financial modeling using Excel and VBA, you may want to find and download some PDF resources that can provide you with more information, examples, exercises, and solutions. There are many online sources that offer PDF resources for financial modeling using Excel and VBA, such as:
Online books and courses on financial modeling using Excel and VBA
One of the best ways to learn financial modeling using Excel and VBA is to read online books or take online courses that cover the topic in depth and detail. Some of the online books and courses that you can find and download as PDF are:
Principles of Financial Modelling: Model Design and Best Practices Using Excel and VBA by Michael Rees. This book covers the full spectrum of financial modeling tools and techniques using Excel and VBA. It provides practical skills that are grounded in real-world applications. It also includes a companion website that contains Excel files, VBA codes, and PDF slides. You can find and download this book as PDF from here.
Financial Modeling: An Introductory Guide to Excel and VBA Applications in Finance by Joachim Häcker and Dietmar Ernst. This book provides a comprehensive introduction to modern financial modeling using Excel, VBA, standards of financial modeling, and model review. It offers guidance on essential modeling concepts around the four core financial activities in the modern financial industry: financial management, corporate finance, portfolio management, and financial derivatives. It also serves as the foundation for the Certified Financial Modeler accreditation. You can find and download this book as PDF from here.
Financial Modeling in Excel For Dummies by Danielle Stein Fairhurst. This book is a friendly guide to financial modeling using Excel. It helps you create and use effective financial models for everyday problems. It covers topics such as budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, scenario analysis, valuation, and more. It also includes online access to sample models, templates, videos, and interactive exercises. You can find and download this book as PDF from here.
Excel for Financial Modeling and Analysis by Benninga Simon. This course is an online course that teaches you how to use Excel for financial modeling and analysis. It covers topics such as data analysis, functions, formulas, charts, macros, VBA, pivot tables, solver, goal seek, data table, scenario manager, and more. It also includes quizzes, assignments, case studies, and projects. You can find and download this course as PDF from here.
Free PDF downloads of financial modeling using Excel and VBA
If you are looking for some free PDF downloads of financial modeling using Excel and VBA, you may want to check out some of the following sources:
Financial Modeling Using Excel and VBA: A Beginner's Guide by Chandan Sengupta. This is a free PDF download that provides a beginner's guide to financial modeling using Excel and VBA. It covers topics such as basic concepts of financial modeling, spreadsheet design principles, worksheet functions for financial modeling, VBA basics for financial modeling, user-defined functions for financial modeling, macros for financial modeling, user forms for financial modeling, add-ins for financial modeling, and more. You can find and download this PDF from here.
Financial Modeling Using Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide by Nishant Kumar. This is a free PDF download that provides a step-by-step guide to financial modeling using Excel. It covers topics such as introduction to financial modeling, types of financial models, best practices of financial modeling, building a DCF model using Excel, building a sensitivity analysis using Excel, building a scenario analysis using Excel, building a Monte Carlo simulation using Excel, building a dashboard using Excel, and more. You can find and download this PDF from here.
the Visual Basic Editor, debugging and error handling in VBA, creating user-defined functions in VBA, creating user forms in VBA, creating add-ins in VBA, and more. You can find and download this PDF from here.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned what financial modeling is, why it is important, how to use Excel and VBA for financial modeling, and where to find and download PDF resources for financial modeling using Excel and VBA. We have seen that financial modeling is a skill that can help us create and analyze financial models for various purposes, such as valuation, forecasting, evaluation, optimization, and communication. We have also seen that Excel and VBA are powerful tools that can help us create and enhance our financial models using features and functions such as worksheet functions, data tools, chart tools, what-if tools, user-defined functions, macros, user forms, and add-ins. We have also seen some examples of online books and courses and free PDF downloads that can provide us with more information, examples, exercises, and solutions on financial modeling using Excel and VBA.
Summary of the main points
Here are the main points that we have covered in this article:
Financial modeling is the process of creating a mathematical representation of a real-world financial situation or scenario.
Financial modeling is important because it helps us understand the past, present, and future performance of a business or an investment.
Financial modeling requires a lot of skills, knowledge, and experience to create and use effectively and efficiently.
Excel is one of the most popular and powerful tools for financial modeling. Excel has many features and functions that can help us create and analyze financial models.
VBA is the programming language of Excel. VBA can help us enhance and automate our financial models using Excel.
There are many online sources that offer PDF resources for financial modeling using Excel and VBA.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about financial modeling using Excel and VBA:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Excel and VBA for financial modeling?
Some of the advantages of using Excel and VBA for financial modeling are:
They are widely used and available in the financial industry.
They are easy to learn and use for beginners.
They are flexible and customizable for advanced users.
They have a large community of users and experts who can provide support and guidance.
Some of the disadvantages of using Excel and VBA for financial modeling are:
They are prone to errors and bugs if not designed or coded properly.
They have limitations in terms of speed, scalability, security, and compatibility.
They require constant maintenance and updates to keep up with changing requirements and standards.
What are some alternatives to using Excel and VBA for financial modeling?
Some of the alternatives to using Excel and VBA for financial modeling are:
Other spreadsheet software such as Google Sheets or LibreOffice Calc.
Other programming languages such as Python or R.
Other software applications such as MATLAB or SAS.
Other online platforms such as Finbox or Wall Street Prep.
and VBA?
Some of the ways to improve your skills in financial modeling using Excel and VBA are:
Practice regularly on real-world problems and scenarios.
Learn from online books, courses, videos, blogs, podcasts, etc.
Join online forums, groups, communities, etc. where you can ask questions, share ideas, and get feedback.
Take online tests, quizzes, certifications, etc. to assess your knowledge and skills.
Seek mentorship or guidance from experts or professionals in the field.
What are some of the best practices for financial modeling using Excel and VBA?
Some of the best practices for financial modeling using Excel and VBA are:
Plan and design your model before yo