Customizing the Debt Amortization Starter Workbooks

You can use the debt amortization starter workbooks without modification for many debt instruments. However, you will still want to regularly make several changes to the workbooks.

Note: Before you change anything in the starter workbook other than the input parameters, unprotect the document. As needed, reinstate cell protection when you finish mak- ing your changes.

Changing the Number of Periods

You can easily increase or describe the number of periods in any of the debt amortization schedules. To increase the number of periods, remove the border from the last row of the amortization schedule. Then copy the current last row of the amortization schedule down as needed. Finally, replace the border at the bottom of the amortization schedule.

Note: You’ll probably want either as many rows in the schedules as there are forecasting periods in your overall model or as many rows as there are payment periods in the debt term.

To decrease the number of periods, delete any unneeded rows from the bottom of the schedule. Then add a border at the new bottom of the amortization schedule.

Removing the Balloon Payment Schedule

If the debt you want to track doesn’t have a balloon payment, you might want to remove the Balloon Payment Schedule. To do so, simply clear all the cells in the Balloon Payment Schedule.

Adding Data Values

Column A is empty along the left edge of the amortization schedules. You can use this empty range to store payment due dates or actual payment transaction dates. To enter a date value, click the cell and type the date.