Entering data estimates using a spreadsheet

Use a spreadsheet to enter one value at a time or to enter values for specific time periods by working in the Estimates tab below the graph paper grid.

About this task

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Procedure

  1. To enter an estimate, in a spreadsheet, scroll to the required time period and select the appropriate column for the data: low, likely, or high.
  2. In a cell, type a value and press Enter.
  3. In the spreadsheet, select a cell. If you enter only one value for a given period, the remaining values in the row are automatically set to match the estimate that you entered.
  4. To enter the next point, go to the next time period, and type a value in a cell, and press Enter. A line is drawn between your two explicit inputs and data is added where required. When more than two time periods have data, a smooth curve of the points that you entered is drawn. Values are added along the curve to determine any unspecified estimates.
    Data display on the spreadsheet:
    • All the data that you explicitly enter is displayed in bold in the spreadsheet.
    • All data that the editor adds is displayed in unformatted text in the spreadsheet.
  5. Optional: If you enter values in the incorrect time period, you must delete data from the cells in that row. Double-click the data value, delete the value, and press Enter. The value of $0.00 is displayed. If value of $0.00 is displayed in bold, delete the value again. You can also right-click to delete the estimate in the graph paper section.

What to do next

You can now analyze the financial model result.

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