Hey Zoho Writer users!
We are happy to let you know that we have enhanced Zoho Writer's formula with new functions to calculate your investment's present value (PV), net present value (NPV), and future value (FV).
These functions can help you determine the value of a series of cash flows from an investment compared to a discount rate (such as inflation or interest). Read on to learn their syntax and how to use these functions.
NPV function
Syntax
=NPV(discount, cashflow1, cashflow2, ...)
Inputs:
discount
| The discount rate of the investment over a period
|
cash flow
| The amount of money coming in or going out in the investment period
|

Note:
The discount should be provided as a decimal number. For example if the discount is 3% then the value should be 0.03.
Calculate NPV with the initial investment amount by adding it in the first cash flow parameter as a negative amount.

Tip:
Discount can also be mentioned as a table cell reference or merge field.
Cash flow can be mentioned as a table cell reference, merge field, or a table cell range (if it is used in a table in the same document).
Examples of NPV
Example
| Syntax
| Output
|
Calculate the NPV of a $3,000 investment with cash flows of $5,000, $2,000, and $4,500 at a discount rate of 10%
| =NPV(0.1,-3000,5000,2000,4500)
| 5981.1488286
|
Calculate the NPV of an investment with cash flows of $500, $750, and $1,000 at a discount rate of 7%
| =NPV(0.07,500,750,1000)
| 1899.799
|
PV function
Syntax
=PV(rate, number_of_periods, payment_amount, future_value, end_or_beginning)
Inputs:
rate
| The rate of interest over the investment period
|
number_of_periods
| The number of months, years, or other time periods you are considering as the investment horizon
|
payment_amount
| The amount you are investing
|
future_value
| The expected future value of the investment
|
end_or_beginning
| The time when payment is due in your investment period. The value should be 0 if the payment is at the end of the period and 1 if it is at the beginning.
|

Note:
The rate, number_of_periods, and payment_amount should have units of consistent value. For example, for a 24-month investment with monthly payments, the rate should be divided by 24 and the number_of_periods should be 24.
The future_value and end_or_beginning are optional parameters and their default value will be 0.
Here are some examples of PV
Example
| Syntax
| Output
|
Calculate the PV of $500 paid in 5 payments over one year with an interest rate of 5%
| =PV(0.05,5,-500,0,0)
| 99.98713
|
Calculate the PV of an amount of $100 paid over 12 months, with an interest rate of 5%, paid at the beginning of the investment period
| =PV(0.0041,12,-100,0,1)
| 338.330
|
FV function
Syntax
=FV(rate, number_of_periods, payment_amount, present_value, end_or_beginning)
Inputs:
rate
| The rate of interest over the investment period
|
number_of_periods
| The number of months (or other periods of time) you are investing
|
payment_amount
| The amount you are investing
|
present_value
| The present value of the amount you are investing
|
end_or_beginning
| The time when payment is due in your investment period. The value should be 0 if the payment is at the end of the period and 1 if it is at the beginning.
|

Note:
The rate, number_of_periods, and payment_amount should have units of consistent value. For example, for an investment for 24 months, paid quarterly the rate should be divided by 8 and the number_of_periods should be 8.
The present_value and end_or_beginning are optional parameters and their default value will be 0.
Here are some examples of FV
Example
| Syntax
| Output
|
Calculate the FV of an investment with an amount of $1,000 paid in 6 payments over one year with an interest of 7% and present value of $10,000
| =FV(0.07,6,-1000,-10000)
| 2658889000
|
Calculate the FV of an investment with an amount of $500 paid over 12 months with an interest of 5% paid at the beginning of the investment period and present value of $5,000
| =FV(0.0041,12,-500,-5000,1)
| 413203.0951
|
How to use these functions in Zoho Writer documents
- Click the hamburger menu located on the top left side of the editor and click Fields.
- Click Formula under the Dynamic Fields category.
- In the New Formula popup, click Choose Function and choose your desired function from the list.
Try the new functions in Zoho Writer and let us know your suggestions and feedback in the comments below or at support@zohowriter.com or support@eu.zohowriter.com.
If you have any functions that you want us to add in Zoho Writer, please let us know.
Regards,
Team Writer
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