FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel User Guide€¦ · Workbooks Bloomberg® Finance LP Data Specific ... Overview FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is an easy-to-use Microsoft®

User Guide

FINCAD® ANALYTICS SUITE 2014 FOR EXCEL

Date: August 2014

Disclaimer FINCAD makes no warranty either express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose regarding these materials, and makes such materials available solely on an “as-is” basis. In no event shall FINCAD be liable to anyone for special, collateral, incidental, or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of purchase or use of these materials. This information is subject to change without notice. FINCAD assumes no responsibility for any errors in this document or their consequences, and reserves the right to make improvements and changes to this document without notice.

Copyright ©FinancialCAD

® Corporation. All rights reserved.

Trademarks FinancialCAD

® and FINCAD

® are registered trademarks of FinancialCAD

® Corporation. Other trademarks are the property of

their respective holders. FINCAD makes no warranties, express or implied, in this summary.

Patents

Protected by U.S. Patent No. 8666867.

Revisions Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this document. FINCAD regrets any errors and omissions that may occur and would appreciate being informed of any errors found. FINCAD will correct any such errors and omissions in a subsequent version, as feasible. Please contact us at: FINCAD Central City, Suite 1750 13450 102

nd Avenue

Surrey, BC V3T 5X3 Canada or

Block 4, Blackrock Business Park Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock

Dublin, Ireland www.fincad.com

Document Information Document Name: FINCAD

® ANALYTICS SUITE 2014 FOR EXCEL User Guide

http://www.fincad.com/

i

Contents

Overview .................................................................................................................................. 1

Asset Class & Instrument Coverage Offered .................................................................................. 2

Models and Methods Offered ....................................................................................................... 4

System Requirements .............................................................................................................. 5

Getting Started ........................................................................................................................ 6

Installing FINCAD® Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel .......................................................................... 6

Starting FINCAD ............................................................................................................................ 8

Desktop icon / Shortcut in Start Menu ................................................................................................................8 Add-In Menu Alternative .....................................................................................................................................9

Using License Manager ............................................................................................................... 11

Activating your FINCAD License as a Single Installation .................................................................................. 12 Activating your FINCAD License as a Concurrent Installation ......................................................................... 15

FINCAD Command-Line License Manager (FCCLM) ..................................................................... 19

FCCLM Usage ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 Examples ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 Default FCCLM Configuration File Contents (fcclm.config) ............................................................................. 21

FINCAD Functions .................................................................................................................. 23

Types of FINCAD Functions ......................................................................................................... 23

fc versus aa functions ........................................................................................................................................ 23

FINCAD Jargon ............................................................................................................................ 26

Naming Conventions ......................................................................................................................................... 26

FINCAD® Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel Ribbon Overview ..................................................... 28

FINCAD Analytics Finder ......................................................................................................... 29

Browsing for Functions ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Searching for Functions..................................................................................................................................... 32 Pasting an Example ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Calculating Results ............................................................................................................................................ 38 Pasting a Function ............................................................................................................................................. 39 Editing a Function .............................................................................................................................................. 39 Math Reference ................................................................................................................................................. 43 Function Reference ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Help .................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Favorites ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 Accessing all Functions, Workbooks, and Math References ........................................................................... 46

Function Wizard ..................................................................................................................... 47

fc Function Macros................................................................................................................. 52

Workbooks ............................................................................................................................. 53

Workbooks Curve Settings .......................................................................................................... 53

Workbooks ................................................................................................................................. 54

Workbooks Bloomberg® Finance LP Data Specific ........................................................................................... 55

Workbook Example ........................................................................................................................................... 56

ii

Workbook Utilities ...................................................................................................................... 61

Working with Switches...................................................................................................................................... 61 Remove Formatting ........................................................................................................................................... 65 Perform Sensitivity Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 66 Generate Cash flow Report ............................................................................................................................... 69

Documentation ...................................................................................................................... 71

Feedback ................................................................................................................................ 72

Support Resources ................................................................................................................. 73

Function Error Handling ......................................................................................................... 74

Disable or Enable Error Handling ...................................................................................................................... 74 Validate Inputs .................................................................................................................................................. 75 Common Causes of #VALUE! Error Message ................................................................................................... 77

Check for Updates .................................................................................................................. 78

About ..................................................................................................................................... 79

Using Excel Functionality ....................................................................................................... 80

Calculating Arrays ....................................................................................................................... 81

To extend cash flow tables using arrays........................................................................................................... 88

Creating Named Ranges .............................................................................................................. 91

To create a named range using the Name Box ................................................................................................ 91 To create a named range using the Define command .................................................................................... 92 To create dynamic named ranges .................................................................................................................... 93

Using Relative and Absolute Cell References ............................................................................... 95

Relative Cell References .................................................................................................................................... 95 Absolute Cell References .................................................................................................................................. 96

Goal Seek .................................................................................................................................... 97

Excel Function Wizard ................................................................................................................. 99

FINCAD® ANALYTICS SUITE 2014 FOR EXCEL Page 1 of 99 © FinancialCAD Corporation User Guide

Overview

FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is an easy-to-use Microsoft® Excel add-in application containing financial functions and professionally designed and developed workbook solutions for valuing and measuring the risk of financial securities and derivatives. The entire Suite has many modeling functions covering major asset classes: commodities, credit, equities, fixed income, foreign exchange, inflation, interest rates and mortgage-backed securities. It also contains over 200 Professionally Developed Workbook Solutions that combine FINCAD analytics with advanced Excel functionality.

You can request to download the entire application for 7 days from www.fincad.com.

FINCAD analytics, a core part of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, are used by over 35,000 business users in over 80 countries.

FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is used to:

Confirm deal pricing

Assess market risk

Mark-to-market positions and portfolios

Evaluate investment alternatives

Run scenario analysis

Reverse engineer complex deals

Calculate Value-at-Risk (VaR)



Asset Class & Instrument Coverage Offered

Interest Rate Derivatives

accrual swaps

asset swaps

average rate caps, floors, swaptions

basis swaps, swaptions

CMS vanilla swaps, swaptions

cross currency swaps, swaptions

digital caps / floors

term structure calibration

European / Bermudan / American swaptions

in-arrears swaps

BMA / tax-exempt swaps, swaptions, caps

OIS / EONIA Swaps

percentage of LIBOR swaps, swaptions

vanilla / amortizing swaps, swaptions, caps / floors

volatility bootstrapping (caps / floors)

zero coupon swaps

Fixed Income Securities and Derivatives

amortizing bonds

bond forwards

bond futures

bond options

bond portfolios

callable bonds & OAS

cash flow calculations

conversion factors

convertible bonds

discount securities

floating rate notes (with discount margin)

forward rate agreements

government & corporate bonds

inflation bonds

jurisdictional specific models (35 countries)

money market instruments

municipal / tax-exempt bonds, swaps

Trigger swap

zero coupon bonds

Credit Derivatives

asset swaps

base correlation mapping

basket CDS, cash flows and options

cash flow CDOs with waterfall

CDO Tranches (synthetic & standard)

CDO Tranche cash flows

CDO Tranche Linked Notes

CDS index options

CDS on indices

CDS on single names, cash flows, & options

credit loss distribution calculations

credit linked notes

credit spread options, forwards

default probability curve generation

first-to-default, nth-to-default, n-out-of m to default

first loss CDS and CDO tranches

Greeks and risk sensitivities

hazard rate curves

rating sensitive notes

total return swaps

utilities

IMM date compliance and upfront payments for CDS


Options

American, Asian, Bermudan, European

average strike

barrier (double & single)

basket

binary

binary (single barrier)

binary spread

chooser

cliquets

compound

deferred strike (forward start)

double average

employee stock options

forward start options

forwards and futures

freight

local volatility (American, European exercise)

lookback

multi-asset

power & quotient

spread

variance / volatility swaps

Foreign Exchange Derivatives

swaps, swaptions

forwards / futures

vanilla & exotic options

Commodity Derivatives

Asian, spread & other exotic options

forwards / futures

options on commodity futures

swaps, swaptions

Mortgage-Backed Securities

accrual bonds

fixed rate passthroughs or pools

IO / PO bonds

pro-rata bonds

PAC bonds & companion PACs

TAC bonds & companion TACs

Equity Derivatives

convertible bonds

forwards and futures

swaps and swaptions

employee stock options

vanilla options

exotic options such as baskets, options including Asian index options

total return swaps

variance / volatility swaps

warrants

Inflation Instruments

inflation swaps

inflation indexed bonds

Curve Building

curve manipulation

numerous bootstrapping methods for swaps

curves, bond curves, tax-exempt swap curves and inflation curves

supports live data feeds that work with Excel, (examples: Bloomberg® Finance LP, Reuters®)

See individual instrument sheets for further details.


Models and Methods Offered

General

Black Scholes

Cox Rubenstein

Heston Model

SABR

Interest Rate

Black

Hull-White short rate (1- and 2-factor)

Black-Karasinski short rate (1-factor)

Two-Additive-Factor Gaussian short-rate

FX

Garman Kohlhagen

Cross currency multi-factor hybrid IR/FX

Credit

Recursion method for CDOs

Displaced Diffusion Model for CDS index options (Liu and Jackel)

Gaussian Copula function model (Li)

Multi-period Credit Index model (Hull-White)

General Calculation

binomial & trinomial trees

closed-form analytical solutions

fast Fourier transform methods

matrix methods (eigenvalues, Cholesky decomposition, inversion, etc)

minimization algorithms (Levenberg-Marquardt, Downhill Simplex)

Monte Carlo simulation (including Longstaff-Schwarz for early exercise)

numerical integration (Gaussian quadrature, Simpson's method, etc)

partial differential equations (PDEs)

regression (linear, polynomial)

recursion methods (for synthetic CDOs)

root-finding algorithms (Bisection, Newton-Raphson, Brent)


System Requirements

Free hard drive space: 800 MB (minimum)

Memory: 2 GB of RAM (minimum)

Processor: Intel Dual Core i3 or equivalent (minimum)

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 8/8.1 (64 bit)

Microsoft

® Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate

Service Pack 1 (32/64 bit)

Others: Microsoft® Excel 2013 (32/64 bit)

Microsoft® Excel 2010 (32/64 bit)

Microsoft® Excel 2007 Service Pack 2

Microsoft® .NET Framework 2.0 or later

Browser: Microsoft®

Internet Explorer 10 or later


Getting Started

Installing FINCAD® Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel can be downloaded from www.fincad.com or installed from a CD. It is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions; there is a separate installer for each one.

Note: Some utilities are only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

1. To request a trial or purchase the product, click on the FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel logo. You can also contact FINCAD directly by telephone (1-604-957-1200) or by email ([email protected]).

2. Complete the Evaluate FINCAD Solutions form. You will be contacted by FINCAD and will be sent a confirmation email. Once you receive the email, you can download and install FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

Note: When choosing an installer to download, use the one that matches the bitness of your Microsoft Excel software, and not of Windows.

3. You are prompted to run the application or to save it.

If you click Run, the program downloads and automatically opens the installation wizard. Follow the set-up instructions to install.

If you click Save, the Save As dialog box is displayed. The default setting is to save to the Desktop. Run the installer and follow the set-up instructions.

4. Read and accept the license agreement.


mailto:[email protected]


5. The default installation directory is displayed. To select a different directory, click Change, and then browse for a different location.

6. Click Next to install the program, and click Finish when the installation is completed.


Starting FINCAD You can start FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel using shortcut methods or within Microsoft® Excel itself.

Desktop icon / Shortcut in Start Menu When FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is installed on your machine, an icon is added to your desktop as well as a short-cut in the Start menu. You can load FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel:

by double clicking on the desktop icon

or by clicking Start > All Programs > FINCAD > Suite 2014 for Excel.


Add-In Menu Alternative FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel can load every time you start Microsoft® Excel.

1. Open Excel and click the Microsoft Office button on the top left corner, and then click Excel Options.

2. Click Add-Ins. The Add-Ins box is displayed.

3. In the Manage box, select Excel Add-Ins, and then click Go.

A list of Excel Add-Ins is displayed.


4. In the add-in menu select Browse. Then browse to C:\Program Files\FINCAD\Suite2014 for Excel. (or the directory where you have installed FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel).

5. Select the file FINCADforExcel2007.xlam. Do not select any of the other .xla or .xll files.

6. Once you add FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel to the list of available add-ins, click OK. FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel will now load every time you start Microsoft Excel.


Using License Manager Use the License Manager tool to activate a trial, extend a trial, activate a purchased license, or transfer a license to another computer.

You can also use the FINCAD Command-Line License Manager (FCCLM) which is a tool that allows you to activate a license via a command line for all platforms that FINCAD supports.

The FINCAD Licensing System supports the following license types:

Single installation

Concurrent

In the first case, the license file is placed on a computer and only applications on that computer can use it, i.e., a Single Installation license does not allow running FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel via Remote Desktop or on a Virtual Machine.

In the second case, the licenses are controlled by a licensing service, which distributes licenses to other computers. Concurrent licenses allow running FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel via remote Desktop or on a Virtual Machine.

Important If you have your Windows font size set to a large scale (120 DPI), some of the text in the License Manager may not appear. To view the entire contents of License Manager, go to your Windows Display and set your font size to normal.

To activate an initial trial

After you request a trial for FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, FINCAD will send you a confirmation email message that includes a license key that lets you access the product.

Important The trial begins immediately once you receive the access key.

To activate an extended trial

After your initial trial has expired, you may request an extension by contacting FINCAD Sales. FINCAD will send you an email message confirming the extension.

To activate a purchased license

After you have purchased the product, FINCAD will send you a confirmation email message that includes a purchase key.


Activating your FINCAD License as a Single Installation

Important Do not delete your FINCAD activation email until you activate the product license.

1. Open the email message and copy the contents.

2. Open FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel and select License Manager from the menu. The License Manager dialog box is displayed. Click Next.

3. Paste the email contents into the text box as displayed below. Click Next.


A Verifying Connection progress indicator is displayed.

If the green checkmark appears, click Next and go to step 4. If an Internet Activation box is displayed as shown below, type in your contact information including your First and Last Names and your email address. The Phone number is optional. Click Next.

If you cannot connect to the FINCAD Licensing server, notify your system administrator to allow you access to the server and start the procedure again or select the Perform a manual activation checkbox and click Next to continue with a manual activation.


a. On the Activate Your License Manually dialog box, click Copy hardware ID and contact FINCAD with this number. Click Next.

b. FINCAD will send an email message containing a license file. Copy the contents of the email and paste into the Activate Your License text box. Click Next.


A confirmation dialog box is displayed.

4. Finally, click Finish to successfully activate your FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel license.

Activating your FINCAD License as a Concurrent Installation Concurrent licenses are controlled by a remote licensing service. You need to get the host name and network port for the licensing service from your system administrator.

1. Open the FINCAD License Manager to connect to the FINCAD Licensing Service. The FINCAD License Manager dialog box is displayed. Click Next.


2. Copy and past the “port@host” information that your system adminstrator provides into the text box.

3. A green checkbox appears. Click Next. If the green checkbox does not appear, contact your system administrator for help.

4. Finally, click Finish.


To deactivate your license on your machine

Note: License deactivation is only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel. If you are using the 64-bit version, you can deactivate your license by using the FCCLM tool. For more information, see FINCAD Command-Line License Manager (FCCLM).

1. Open the License Manager from the FINCAD ribbon and follow the instructions on the dialog

boxes.

2. A dialog box displays the deactivation code.

3. Copy or print the Deactivation Code and click Next.


4. On the next Deactivate License box, click on the FINCAD Customer Support Center link to complete the deactivation and follow the procedures described in the FINCAD license deactivation guide provided in the Support Center. Have your PSN ready as well as your deactivation code as they are both needed to deactivate your license.

5. After you complete the deactivation, follow the Activation procedure described in the previous section to reactivate your license.


FINCAD Command-Line License Manager (FCCLM) You can also use the FINCAD Command-Line License Manager (FCCLM) which is a tool that allows you to activate a license via a command line for all platforms that FINCAD supports. Its primary use is to license the product on non-windows machines; however, you can use the tool to license the product on the windows platform. In addition, FCCLM can also be used to activate a concurrent license on the client and server side.

FCCLM includes a configuration file (fcclm.config) that lets you store some command default arguments which are used each time you call a sub-command so it minimizes typing in all required arguments. However, if you supply the arguments when you make the call, then those values will be used instead.

Create an empty file call "deactivated.dat" in the target folder and make sure this file has read and write permissions for all/group users.

Note: For the Windows platform only, FCCLM is a 32 bit tool; therefore, if you want to run it under a 64 bit environment, you must install the 32 bit libraries required to run 32 bit applications on the machine.

FCCLM Usage fcclm <subcommand> [options]

Examples

PSN Activation

Note Server side activation • Multiple activations of the same product are allowed. • No activation is allowed for a single installation PSN.

Single Installation license activation for FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel on the client side

fcclm activate -s "289E DM83 6288 YK5S 6HJA M0YB" -m “all” -p “suite_for_excel” -v “all” -i "John" -l "Doe" -e [email protected] -g “client” -k “excel”

Concurrent license activation for FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel on the server side

fcclm activate -s "289E DM83 6288 YK5S 6HJA CURR" -m “all” -p “suite_for_excel” -v “all” -i "John" -l "Doe" -e [email protected] -g “server” -k “excel”

Note The –v option is set to “all” in the examples shown above. This is used for one term unlocks all license activation which is supported by FINCAD Analytics Suite product versions 2010.1 and later.

Concurrent license activation for FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel on the client side

fcclm activate –j “5053@server-host-name”


where “server-host-name” is the host name of the machine where the license service resides.

Manual Activation

Single Install license activation for FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel on the client side

fcclm activate -f “fincad_license.lic" -d "c:\temp" -g “client” -k “excel”

Note: You will need to supply FINCAD with a machine code. To get the machine code, enter fcclm machine-specific-info.

Once a machine is licensed, you can query the license information by running the following command:

fcclm license-info --product “suite_for_excel” -k “excel”

At any time you can get help by typing

fcclm - Displays usage, version, and to get a list of available subcommands

fcclm <subcommand> --help – To get help on a specific subcommand

Deactivation of all modules in the product

Deactivation only applies to a single installation license for the FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel product.

fcclm deactivate -p "suite_for_excel" -v "all" -m "all" -g “client” -k “excel”

Note: License deactivation is not permitted on the server side.


Default FCCLM Configuration File Contents (fcclm.config)

Important You will need to edit the configuration file before using it because the specified default values may not apply to the target machine environment. You must assign a value to all fields. Also, all fields within the file must not be removed; otherwise the tool will generate an error reading the configuration file.

This configuration file is used by the FCCLM tool for activating a FINCAD license. Removing any keys/variables in this file will corrupt the file; therefore, the FCCLM tool will fail to work properly. Change the values of the keys if necessary.

Note: The values set here will be used if you do not change them when making the FCCLM sub-commands calls. Please contact your service provider should you have any questions regarding this file or FCCLM tool.

Product id

Do not change this field unless it is directed by your service provider.

product=suite_for_excel

Product version


version=2014

Customer's first name

first-name=john

Customer's last name

last-name=doe

Customer's phone number

phone=6074085951

Customer's email address

[email protected]

license service mode


license-service=REPRISE

FINCAD license web service


webservice=http://elmer.fincad.com/ELMERWebService/ELMERWebService.asmx


license source folder

Where intermediate files will be stored. Ensure the given folder has proper permissions for read and write.

license-source=.

license target folder

Where the license files will be stored. Ensure the given folder has proper permissions for read and write. Do not change this value unless it is necessary.

Example: license-target=/opt/fincad/core/lic

By default all license files will be placed in "/opt/fincad/core/lic"

license-target=""

proxy credentials

For Windows, Internet Explorer's settings are used automatically.

proxy-server=192.168.1.89

proxy-port=8080

proxy-userid=john

proxy-password=john

product division

Do not change this value unless it is directed by your service provider.

product-division=Toolkit

platform where the tool is used

platform=windows

license option

The following are the supported options:

license-options=server for server side activation

license-options=client for client side activation

license-options=server


FINCAD Functions FINCAD Analytics Suite has functions covering a variety of asset classes and models.

Types of FINCAD Functions There are two types of FINCAD functions: aa functions and fc functions with fc functions being introduced in Analytics Suite 2011. Although the majority of the library currently contains functions beginning with aa, this will change over the next few releases as all new functions will begin with the prefix fc. As a result, many functions will be phased out over these releases and eventually become unsupported.

fc versus aa functions In general the functions look very similar. However, there are some key differences. This section looks at the differences between the two styles of functions and highlights the advantages of the new style. The first section highlights the differences, and the second section provides more details on the benefits.

Highlights

The differences between the two functions surround:

Ability to use text strings in fc functions compared to numerical switches used in aa functions.

Multiple input entry formats o Actual dates, e.g. “6-Jul-2011” o “2d”

Fewer number of function calls required to get the necessary outputs

Preconfigured functions increase accuracy by reducing errors and time required for setup

Provide an easier transition to F3 as your needs change

Details

Text Strings Allowing for Easier Input

In fc functions, you have the ability to enter inputs to the function in a natural language. For example, you can enter ‘pay’ to indicate this is a pay fixed swap. This is in contrast to an aa function where you need to understand that an integer value of 2 needs to be passed into the function to correspond to a pay fixed-receive float swap.


Multiple Data Input Formats

For convenience, the fc functions have been setup to allow you to enter in dates in multiple formats allowing for much quicker implementation. For example, if you have a swap maturing 3 years from the start date, you could enter “3y”, or the actual maturity date.

Fewer Function Calls

An fc function has been designed to provide you with as much information as possible using the fewest number of functions. This means that a typical fc function will output not only the fair value, accrued interest, etc., but it will also be able to output the cash flows and trade specific risk information such as basis point value (outputs depend on the trade type). In addition to the outputs, all of the labels describing the outputs will also update automatically.

Preconfigured Functions

When using aa functions, you are not only responsible for entering your own specific deal information, you are also responsible for entering market data conventions. In fc functions, many of the market data conventions have been pre-configured which reduces the likelihood that an error will be made in setup and therefore increasing accuracy.

For example, with a USD LIBOR-based swap, you need to know that the US market conventions have a 2 business day settlement for rate fixings and an accrual method of act/360 amongst other things. For fc functions, 10 jurisdictions have been already preconfigured, saving you time when setting up the deal.

GBP: Pound Sterling

USD: US Dollar

JPY: Japanese Yen

CHF: Swiss Franc

CAD: Canadian Dollar

AUD: Australian Dollar

EUR: Euro


DKK: Danish Kroner

SEK: Swedish Krona

NZD: New Zealand Dollar

In this example, you can type in “LiborUSD3m” and all the necessary conventions are already configured; alternatively you can supply a table that can be modified if you need extra flexibility for a jurisdiction that is not preconfigured.

Holiday Calendars

When using FINCAD aa functions, a function which generates the holiday lists is required. The generated holiday lists must then be input as a table into the pricing function. A change that FINCAD has made for the fc functions is to embed the holiday lists directly into the function. This means that you only need to type in the jurisdiction name and the holiday calendar will be generated and used internally within the function. FINCAD currently supports well over 300 calendars and the list can be expanded as needed. For users that still want to enter in their own calendars, this is still possible.

The other major advantage is that all pre-configured conventions make use of the appropriate holiday convention without having to specifically provide the holiday calendar.

Interest Rate Curves

The term accruing curve is used in aa functions to mean the curve used to derive the forward rates. The accruing curve that is required takes the form of date and discount factor bringing questions on how the accruing and discounting curves were different. In fc functions, this confusion is gone. You can now enter in a forward rate curve which is a list of dates and rates. The fc functions are able to


read the implied rate directly off the table or imply the rate given the data. You also enter in a discount curve which is used for all discounting.

Easier Transition

FINCAD product lines are transitioning to a common underlying analytics library. What this new technology means for you is that:

FINCAD is using a redesigned, consistent, pricing engine in which the model is implemented

completely independent to the specific instrument which leads to greater maintainability

and built-in consistency

Allows much quicker development of new functionality

The new pricing engine incorporates the accumulated knowledge and ever-expanding know-

how of experienced FINCAD staff

As your portfolio grows more complex or gets larger, the transition to the F3 product line is

much easier and the valuation outputs will be the same

FINCAD Jargon

Naming Conventions FINCAD function names are made up of three parts: a Prefix, a Root Word, and a Suffix.

Prefix

Function names begin with the prefix aa or fc to be easily recognizable as a FINCAD function.

Root Words

The root word describes the type of instrument, model, transaction or primary use of the function.

Examples

BIN: binomial tree model – Cox Rubinstein

Bond: Bond instrument

Spot: Spot price or rate for an instrument

Shortrate: Infinitesimal short rate calculations

VaR: Value at Risk

EuropeanOptionBlack: A European FX Option in the Black model

Suffixes

Suffixes describe the kind of calculated result to expect from the function or provide a hint about the context of use.

aaBond_p

Prefix Root Word

Suffix


Examples

_p: Pricing function: returns fair value and other relevant statistics depending on the instrument

_cf: Cashflow function: returns various table outputs such as payments, reset rates, etc

_dgen: date generation function: flexible function that allows for amortization schedules and various coupon payment types

_fs: freestyle function: allows for extremely flexible table inputs (amortizations, varying coupons). Has greater flexibility than _dgen functions because you have complete control of the coupon and notional schedule. Therefore, you also have to adjust business days manually.

_iv: implied volatility function: calculates the implied volatility given a price

_ix: implied x function: can calculate any input given all other inputs. For example, with an option you can use it to calculate strike, given price, and volatility.

Note: fc functions do not contain suffixes. An fc function outputs all relevant statistics when it is calculated.


FINCAD® Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel Ribbon Overview

The FINCAD ribbon is between the Insert and Page Layout ribbons.

FINCAD ribbon in 32-bit version

FINCAD ribbon in 64-bit version

Note: Some of the following utilities are only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

FINCAD Analytics Finder – The FINCAD Analytics Finder is used to access a searchable database of functions, pre-built workbooks, and supporting documentation. This is only available in the 32-bit version.

Function Wizard – The Function Wizard provides a user-friendly interface for working with FINCAD functions. This is only available in the 32-bit version.

fc Function Macros – The fc function macros provide a more convenient way to use fc functions.

Function Error Handling – Diagnose problems with function inputs quickly and easily.

Workbooks – Over 200 pre-built workbooks are available.

Documentation – Access comprehensive documentation, including what is new in the current version of the product and release notes.

Support Resources – Access extensive support resources.

License Manager – Use the license manager to activate a trial, activate a purchased license, extend a trial, or move FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel to another computer.


FINCAD Analytics Finder

The FINCAD Analytics Finder is the control center for FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel and lets you access all of the functions in the library, pre-built workbook solutions, and Math and Function References that you are licensed for.

Note: FINCAD Analytics Finder is only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

Click Analytics Finder on the FINCAD ribbon. Your most recently used analytics features are displayed.

The FINCAD Analytics Finder has two tabs for finding functions

Browse (default)

Search

The FINCAD Analytics Finder has two windows

The Function window

The Reference window


Browsing for Functions The Browse tab is divided into two windows, the function window and the reference window.

The function window is divided into four panels that are grouped by asset class, utilities, and risk measures in the first panel, instrument type in the second panel, and model type in the third. This grouping forms the hierarchical index for the Finder. You can navigate through the panels to pinpoint the exact function for their needs. Functions are located in the fourth panel of the function window.

When you select a function, the bottom portion of the window displays a brief description of the function.

The reference windows are divided into two tabs:

Math References (default)

Function References

When you select a function, the corresponding math reference is displayed under the Math Reference tab. Alternatively, when you select a function, the corresponding function reference page is displayed under the Function Reference tab.

In the Browse for box, you can choose what analytics you want to see, Functions, Workbooks (User or Bloomberg® Finance LP enabled), or Math References

Example

You want to create a cash flow table for a simple fixed/floating swap using one currency only and two curves (accruing and discounting).

1. Open FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel and click FINCAD Analytics Finder.

2. Click Browse for: All.

3. On the first panel, click Interest Rate Derivatives. The second panel populates with the Instrument types grouped under Interest Rate Derivatives.

4. Click Swaps. The third panel populates with all the different types of swaps.

5. Click Vanilla Swaps. The fourth panel displays the functions associated with the Vanilla Swap. In this example, eleven functions are listed, aaSwap_cf, aaSwap_CRcont_cf, aaSwap_CRcont_full_risk, aaSwap_CRcont_p, aaSwap_dgen_cf, aaSwap_dgen_p, aaSwap_p, aaSwap2_cf, aaSwap2_p, fcVanillaIRSwap, and fcVanillaIRSwapFixingDates. When one of the functions listed is selected, a brief description of the function is displayed on the bottom portion of the function window.


6. Once you determine that the appropriate function to use is aaSwap_cf, the Math Reference is displayed in the References window below. You can click on the Function Reference tab to view the input and output details. You can then paste an example, choose which paste option to use, and paste the function, when you click Paste Example on the lower right of the Finder.

Note: The Paste Example Options lets you choose outputs from either a single instrument or outputs from a portfolio, if available, for that instrument. You can also choose to see all statistics, tables, and restrictions and notes.


Searching for Functions The Search tab lets you search for a specific function or type of function without having to navigate through the panels.

The Search tab is divided into two windows, the function window and the reference window.

When you type keywords in the search box, the function window displays all the functions associated with the key search word. The function window is a list of functions followed by a brief description. When you select a function in the list, the corresponding Math Reference is displayed under the Math Reference tab in the reference window and alternatively, the corresponding function reference page is displayed under the Function Reference tab.

Example

To see the functions, workbooks, and Math References related to the Black model, type black in the search box and click Search.

The related functions, workbooks, and math documents are listed in the function window. An icon is displayed beside each file type:

Function

aaVol_crv_Rcap_BL

Workbook

Calibration – Auto (BK &HW – using Swaptions)

Math document html page

European Swaptions (Black Model)


The Search tab also contains a Search Options button which lets you redefine your search to include other functions or references.

This functionality lets you specify which type of search you want to conduct. You can do a search:

1. With all the words – this will return results that contain all the words typed in. For example, typing in the words Calibration using Hull White will return items with the words calibration, using, and Hull White (HW). In this example, four calibration workbooks that have all the words typed in are returned by the search when the function is asked to search for functions, workbooks, and math references.

2. With the exact phrase – this will return results that contain the exact phrase typed in. For example, typing in the words Calibration using Hull White will result in the message “Nothing Found” because the search is restricted to the exact phrase. Revising the search by typing in calibration will result in 38 results (functions, workbooks and math documents) that contain the word calibration when the function is asked to search for functions, workbooks, and math references.

3. With at least one of the words – this will return results that contain at least one of the words typed in. For example, typing in calibration Hull White will result in over 70 results that contain the word calibration or Hull White when the application is asked to search for Functions, Workbooks, and Math references.

The Search Options feature also allows you to specify what type of file you want to search for, i.e. Functions, Workbooks with any, local or Bloomberg® Finance LP data sources, or Math reference documents.

You can choose to set all or some of these features as your default so that you will not have to set your options every time you want to do a search for a particular instrument.


Example

You want to search for the phrase “Black” inside all of the Functions and Workbooks.

1. Type Black in the Search box and click Search Options.

2. Select the Functions checkbox and click OK.

All of the Functions that contain the phrase “Black” are listed in the function window.


Pasting an Example

The Paste Example button creates a sample of the selected function on the underlying spreadsheet. You can find the button on the lower right of the Finder when an available function is selected.

Note: You cannot paste a function example using an fc function. The Paste Example Options described below are not available in this case. An fc function example will open in a new workbook. You can then copy and paste the new workbook into your own spreadsheet.

Note: If you select a function that you do not have a license for, only the License Info button is displayed. Unavailable functions are displayed with a lock icon beside the function name.

An example consists of all the inputs for a function linked to cells that contain a call to the selected function. All inputs that have preset parameter lists are pasted with switches that help change parameter values and also provide a visual reminder of the available parameter settings. For instance, the argument option type would have a switch that allows you to choose whether the option is a call or a put. In the pasted example, white cells are input cells and yellow cells are output cells.

To output more than one statistic all at once, click Paste Example Arrow, choose Paste Example Options and select all of the options you want to display. For instance, the function aaBSG outputs up to 8 statistics (fair value, delta, gamma, theta, vega, rho of rate, rho of holding cost, probability of exercise). To paste an example that outputs all the statistics of this function, select All statistics. You can also choose to display All output tables, when pasting a function that outputs tables of results (multiple rows and columns — for example, cash flows), and Restrictions and Notes.

For FINCAD functions with simple inputs (i.e., no table inputs) you can choose to paste the example in Portfolio format. This changes the layout orientation from vertical to horizontal (i.e., transposes it).


Note: When you click into a cell that contains the function, i.e., a yellow cell, you can see the function name as well as the inputs (cell reference or actual values) on the formula bar.


Choice Description

As single instrument Output results are for one instrument only

As portfolio (when available) Output results are for a group or collection of instruments

All statistics (when available) All of the output results that the function calculates, such as pricing, risk statistics, sensitivities, etc. for functions that produce more than one statistic

All output tables All tables that are output, such as cash flow, reset table, etc.

Restrictions/Notes View all of the restrictions (rules to produce the correct outputs) and explanatory comments for inputs

1 Formula bar

2 Input cells

3 Output cells

Pasting an example is a good way for you to learn how to use the functions.

1

2

3


Calculating Results The functionality of Microsoft Excel applies in calculating results. If the calculation option is set to automatic, the function automatically updates the results whenever an input parameter is modified. If the calculation option is set to manual, press F9 to calculate all open spreadsheets or SHIFT + F9 to calculate the active sheet.

You can check your current calculation setting in Calculation Options under Formulas.


Pasting a Function Pasting a function is a more space efficient way of incorporating functions into a spreadsheet. Pasting a function displays the function on the active cell in the spreadsheet with a call to the selected function and variable for all the inputs required. All functions expect inputs in a given order, which is shown in the Function Reference and is also the order in which the arguments in the pasted function are listed. Once you paste the function into the spreadsheet, you simply replace the arguments with links to the appropriate input cells or replace arguments with actual input values i.e., hard-wire the inputs (please refer to the section Editing a Function below).

When a function is initially pasted to a cell, it will show a #VALUE! error message since the function arguments have to be edited. A standard function call is in this form and is found on the Excel formula bar:

=aaBSG(price_u,ex,d_exp,d_v,vlt,rate_ann,cost_hldg,option_type,stat,acc_rate,acc_cost_hldg)

Editing a Function Using the FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel Function Wizard is the recommended way to edit a function call.

To edit a function

1. Before starting the Function Wizard, click the cell where the pasted function is located. Select FINCAD Wizard under the FINCAD ribbon.


2. You can also click on the cell with the pasted function, right click, and select Function Wizard from the menu.

For a more in-depth look at the Function Wizard and its features, please refer to the section Function Wizard.


Linking the Inputs

Using the FINCAD Function Wizard, you can link the inputs by cell reference or you can hard-wire the inputs.

Linking the inputs by cell reference

Type in the cell addresses as the inputs to the function arguments. When you reference a cell, the actual value in the cell is used.


Hard-wiring the inputs

Input actual values directly into the function argument. This is not the recommended format as errors and / or changes will require a modification to the actual function rather than simply updating the referenced cell.

Note: Hard-wired dates should be input as a sequential number that represents a particular date. For example, March 16, 2007 should be input as 39157 (serial date format).


Math Reference The Math Reference tab displays the mathematical document that provides the theoretical background on the selected function. Math documents give a brief description of the underlying models and formulas, provide examples, and provide references to books and papers that are relevant sources of information on the topic. If you click on the FINCAD function fcVanillaIRSwap, the Swaps math document is displayed in the references window on the FINCAD Analytics Finder.

Note: Click View in New Window to display the document in html format in a separate browser. You can also choose your favorite browser.

Math Reference documents in the 64-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel

The FINCAD Analytics Finder is unavailable in the 64-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, but you can still view the Math Reference documents. Navigate to the folder where you have installed FINCAD Analytic Suite 2014 for Excel, and open the hlp folder. Typically, this folder location is C:\Program Files\FINCAD\Suite 2014 for Excel\hlp\. Inside this directory, the Math Reference documents are available in their respective subfolders.

In addition, the Math Reference button, available in pre-built workbooks, opens the appropriate reference document.


Function Reference Click the Function Reference tab to display the Function Reference page for the selected function. This tab displays a description of what the function does, a list of all the inputs for and outputs from a function, sample values and restrictions on the function inputs, standardized lists related to function inputs and outputs, and special notes related to the function. This page is helpful when you get a #value in your spreadsheet.

Note: Click View in New Window to display the page in html format in a separate browser.

Function Reference in the 64-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel

The FINCAD Analytics Finder is unavailable in the 64-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel. However, you can still access the fc and aa function references as follows:

fc functions: In the directory where FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is installed, navigate to \hlp\fc_reference\. Typically, this folder location is

C:\Program Files\FINCAD\Suite 2014 for Excel\hlp\fc_reference. Each HTML file in this folder

contains the function reference for a corresponding fc function.

aa functions: On the FINCAD ribbon, click aa Function Reference. Each link on the subsequent webpage opens the function reference for a corresponding aa function.


Help Click Help on the lower right of the Finder to access several links to www.fincad.com for documentation and support to assist you in using FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

Favorites Click Favorites in the Browse list to access your most commonly used functions. To save a function into favorites, first browse or search the function you want, then right-click on the function and select Add to Favorites from the menu.



Accessing all Functions, Workbooks, and Math References Using the FINCAD Analytics Finder, you can browse through all the functions, workbooks, and Math References in the Browse tab. In the Browse for text box, choose All, Only Functions, or Only Workbooks.

Also using the Browse for button, you can select to show additional analytics available for licensing, replaced (deprecated) functions, and unsupported analytics. Deprecated functions are those functions that are currently replaced by newer aa or fc functions. These functions are still supported by FINCAD. However, it is recommended that the newer functions be used instead.

Unsupported functions are still available in the product, but are not supported by FINCAD. You can identify these functions by the color red. It is recommended that these functions not be used and to therefore leave this option unchecked.


Function Wizard The FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel Function Wizard is a user-friendly interface for working with FINCAD functions.

Note: Function Wizard is only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel. In the 64-bit version, you can use the Insert Function dialog box accessible through the fx button beside the Formula Bar.

To open the Function Wizard, select a cell that contains a function, and then do either of the following:

Click the Function Wizard button on the FINCAD ribbon.

Right-click the output cell and select Function Wizard on the shortcut menu.


When you open the Function Wizard before you input values, it displays the data type for each argument.

You can then input a cell reference, a range, or hard-wired value for each input argument.


The FINCAD Function Wizard includes the following features:

1 the numerical and word description of the input argument is shown

2 the input value is formatted, e.g. a date is formatted as a date March 1, 2006 instead of a sequence of numbers to represent a date, 38777.

3 Indicates if the function output is an array

4 there is bubble help for switch inputs

5 provides links to the Math and Function Reference

4

1

2

3

5


Once you input all the required arguments, click Calculate to display the first three statistics of the formula result.

Violated argument restrictions are flagged upon calculating the function. The input that caused the error is highlighted.


Note that the FINCAD Function Wizard window opens if the cell or range of cells selected contains a FINCAD function. If not, you will be prompted with this message: “The selected range does not contain a call to a FINCAD function. Do you want to launch the Analytics Finder?” If you press Yes, you will open the FINCAD Analytics Finder while pressing No closes the message box.


fc Function Macros

fc function macros help speed up the use of the fc functions used within Microsoft® Excel. There are two types of macros:

Insert fc Function: After you have entered the name of an fc function into a cell, running this macro will create a sample of the selected function with argument names provided. This macro inserts the resulting function call for the fc function name contained in the current cell.

1. Enter the name of an fc function in a cell. 2. Click Insert fc Function on the FINCAD ribbon to run the macro.

Set Output Formatting: This macro adds conditional formatting to the selected cells that hides errors, #NA, and empty cells.

1. Select the cells and run the macro.


Workbooks

FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel includes over 200 workbook templates. Each workbook is geared towards providing a solution to generic tasks faced in the industry (e.g., calculating a forward rate curve). Workbook design involves a combination of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel functions, advanced Excel functionality, and formatting.

There are three menu subsections for FINCAD Workbooks:

Workbooks Curve Settings

Workbooks

Workbook Utilities

Workbooks Curve Settings You can choose to define which swap curve to use with your workbooks by selecting User Data or Bloomberg® Finance LP1 Data. These curves apply only to workbooks in the Workbook menu that use a swap curve in their valuations. Use the Bloomberg® Finance LP to provide the specified real-time and historical data to the workbooks.

Note: You will need to subscribe to Bloomberg® Finance LP to retrieve the data.

Each Bloomberg® Finance LP enabled workbook contains a sheet where the swap curve data is downloaded. The downloaded data is then referenced into the appropriate FINCAD function, typically a function that generates a discount factor curve. You can also manually input market data such as deposit and swap rates to build a discount factor curve.

1 Bloomberg is a trademark of Bloomberg Finance LP. FINCAD is not associated in any way with Bloomberg

Finance LP.


Workbooks You can access all workbooks through the FINCAD ribbon.

When you open a workbook, Excel creates a copy of the template file and loads it into the system. The workbook has been saved in such a way that it will open as a copy of the template. However, when saving the file, there is no danger of accidentally overwriting the template. Therefore, you can open multiple copies of the same workbook, and are free to further customize these files and store them under different names for future use.

Note: You can use the curve settings to pick one of the curves for the workbooks that contain swap curves.


Workbooks Bloomberg® Finance LP Data Specific As mentioned above, all workbooks are available with a Bloomberg® Finance LP enabled swap curve. Bloomberg® Finance LP specific workbooks contain additional links to Bloomberg® Finance LP. Examples of additional data are swaption volatilities and CDS spreads.

To access a Bloomberg® Finance LP Enabled Workbook

1. Under the FINCAD ribbon, select Workbooks, then Bloomberg® Finance LP Data Specific.

2. Choose one of the workbooks displayed on the menu, for example Bond Portfolio.


Workbook Example Typically, a workbook template consists of a calculator or main sheet with a pricing function, a discount factor curve sheet, and a holidays sheet. If applicable, a cash flow table sheet is also included, for example, swap workbooks typically include cash flow tables.

Also, other worksheets to calculate various risks and stats may also be included. The functions used in the various worksheets are linked to the discount factor curve and the holiday list.

We will look at each section of the workbook by looking at the zero coupon swap workbook, accessible from the FINCAD ribbon. Under Workbooks, select Swaps – Libor Discounting, and click Zero Coupon Swap. We have chosen to use User Data to define the curve.

Calculator sheet

1. Enter the specific deal information in the white cells. The color convention of the workbook is consistent with that of pasted examples of functions, i.e. white cells are input cells and calculated outputs are in cells highlighted in yellow. Many of the cells contain comments to help you with your inputs and explain some of the outputs.

2. Click the market price cell of the swap output cell to display the inputs used in calculating the value.

Note: A macro in the workbooks automatically sets Microsoft Excel to manual calculation when the workbook is opened. Macros are also used in the workbooks to make it easier for you to calculate and open documents such as the Math Reference documents. These macros are assigned to buttons such as Calculate Sheet and Math Reference found in workbooks.


Curve sheet

This sheet is where the underlying interest rates are entered and transformed into a discount factor curve. The discount factor curve is used in the pricing and cash flow functions to discount cash flows to the present value and also to generate implied forward rates.

1. Enter a value date (this may have already been set on the calculator sheet) and select an interpolation method. Edit the succeeding fields as appropriate.

2. Next, click Calculate Sheet. The selected curve is retrieved. Alternatively, pressing F9 or any Calculate All buttons on any sheet will update all values throughout the workbook.

The discount factor curve is then used to calculate the outputs of the pricing function. As a convention, dynamic named ranges are created for the generated discount factor curve. The curve is typically named df_curve.

3. Check the range of cells covered by named ranges. Click Formulas > Name Manager.


4. Select the named range (df_curve in our example). The Refers to text box will be populated with the sheet name and the cell addresses of the named range. The cells will be outlined when you click the Refers to text box.

To link the curve into the pricing application function, the named range df_curve has been set up as an input to the arguments that require a discount factor curve.


Holidays sheet

Holidays are listed on this sheet. The holiday list that comes with the workbook contains sample dates only and you will need to update the list. The list is typically assigned the name holidays. The list must be sorted in ascending dates.

1. Select a jurisdiction.

2. Click Calculate Sheet.


Many of the workbooks contain a sheet with a cash flow table output for FINCAD (_cf) functions. Typically, sheets with the cash flow table draw the inputs required by the corresponding cash flow function from other sheets in the workbook and so do not require further data entry.


Workbook Utilities FINCAD includes several tools to help you customize your workbooks easily.

Note: Workbook Utilities is only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

Working with Switches A switch is an input argument which lists the available options. Since many FINCAD functions let you choose among multiple items per input, a switch is used to visually display the alternatives. When you paste an example of a function in your spreadsheet, it includes a drop-down list box for each switch argument.

FINCAD uses aaSwitch to represent the function argument of a switch. The function argument aaSwitch has two inputs, the switch number, and the cell where the numerical equivalent of the switch description is output. The Function Reference contains information on the switch number for arguments that use switches. It also lists the numerical and word description of the arguments available on the switch.

Example

On the pasted example aaBSG, the function argument aaSwitch for option type makes use of switch list 17, and that the numerical description of the arguments available on the switch is displayed in cell B9.

Fx = aaSwitch(17,$B$9)


You can find the switch number for each argument that uses a switch list on the Function Reference under the column Type. Arguments that have a type which starts with sa_ (switch for statistic) or sw_ (switch for input arguments) are switches. You can view a complete list of all the switches from the document Switch Definitions on the FINCAD ribbon under Documentation.

The utilities Show Switch List and Paste Switch Control are especially useful when you are developing a spreadsheet using pasted functions and not pasted examples.


To choose a switch from the show switch list

This displays a list of switch alternatives for you to choose from

Example

You have pasted the function aaBSG on the spreadsheet and have listed and referenced all of the input arguments. You now want to see the list of accrual methods available for this argument. You have determined from the Function Reference that the switch number for accrual method is 2 and the numerical value of the argument is found on cell B11.

1. In cell C11, type =aaswitch(2, B11).

2. To show the switch list, in the FINCAD ribbon, under Workbook Utilities, click Show Switch List.

A pop up window with the available accrual methods opens.

3. Select the accrual method you prefer, e.g. 30/360 (ISDA)

The corresponding numerical value of the selected accrual method will be displayed in cell B11. In this example, the value of the accrual method 30/360 (ISDA) will correspond to 4.


To paste a switch control

This pastes a drop-down control into your worksheet.

Example

Continuing from the above example, to paste the switch control on cell C11 in the FINCAD ribbon, under Workbook Utilities, click Paste Switch Control. The switch control for the accrual method is pasted.

To delete a switch

Click the cell where the switch is, right click on the mouse, and click Cut. The switch is now deleted.

Note: The Show Switch List and Paste Switch Control only work when you select a cell that contains the FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel function aaSwitch, e.g. aaSwitch(2, B11).


Remove Formatting This utility feature removes all background colors, borders, and switches

1. Select an area of a workbook.

2. Under the FINCAD ribbon, select Workbook Utilities, then click Remove Formatting.

All formatting is removed.


Perform Sensitivity Analysis You can perform sensitivity analysis when you vary your inputs and observe how the outputs change.

Inputs

analysis with: For a one variable change, you will see how a set of outputs changes as the input varies. For a two variable analysis, you will see how a single output changes as the two variables change.

input cell: An input cell must be a valid cell reference to a single cell or a valid named range referencing a single cell.

description: A description of the input cell that is used as a heading in the output table and as an axis title in a graph. A cell description must be a string, a valid cell reference to a single cell, or a valid named range referencing a single cell or a string.

minimum: This specifies the minimum value of the input cell and it must be a valid number.

maximum: This specifies the maximum value of the input cell and it must be a valid number greater than the minimum.

increment style: This is a switch to determine how the minimum value increases to reach the maximum value, either increased by a specific value or increased by a percentage of a value.

increment by: This is the value that applies to the minimum to reach the maximum. Increment by must be greater than zero.

output cell(s): You can choose which output cell or cells that you want to view the results for. The output cells must be on the same worksheet as the input cell or cells. In a one-variable analysis, this must be a valid cell reference in a single row or column or a valid named rage referencing a single row or column. In a two-variable analysis, this must be a valid single cell reference or a valid named range referencing a single cell.


description(s): A description of the output cell or cells and must match the number of output cells. For a one-variable analysis, this must be a string, or a valid cell reference in a single row or column, or a valid named range referencing a single row or column. In a two-variable analysis, this must be a string or a valid single cell reference, or a valid named range referencing a single cell or a string.

place result at: This is where the table will output and must be a valid single cell reference or a valid named range referencing a single cell.

display graph(s): Select the checkbox if you want to display a graphical result.

Results

For a one-variable analysis, the graphs are displayed to the right of the output table. The graphs are listed vertically and each graph depicts the relationship between the input and one of the outputs.

For a two variable analysis, the graphs are displayed below the output table.

You can modify the starting value of the input series by editing the white cells in the result table.

Note: Input cells, output cells, and results must be on the same worksheet.

To perform a sensitivity analysis

1. Paste an example of a FINCAD function, for example, aaBSG.

2. Under the FINCAD ribbon, click Workbook Utilities, then Perform Sensitivity Analysis.

The Sensitivity Analysis dialog box is displayed.

3. Click in the input cell text box, then select the input cell, for example on sheet 1, cell B2.

4. Click in the description text box, then select the description of the input cell that corresponds to the input cell, for example on sheet 1, cell A2

5. Type in a minimum value for the input cell, for example 10.

6. Type in a maximum value for the input cell, for example 30.

7. Choose an increment style, for example relative.

8. Type in a value for the increment (%), for example 10.

9. Click in the output cells text box and select the output cell or cells, for example on sheet 1, cells B14:B21.

10. Click in the descriptions text box and select the out cell or cells description that corresponds to the output cells, for example on sheet 1, cells A14:A21.

11. Select the cells where you want the output table to display on the sheet, for example A25.

12. Select the checkbox to display graphs.

13. Click OK


The output table is displayed starting from A25 and the graph is displayed to the right of the output table.


Generate Cash flow Report You can prepare a cash flow report from the Cash Flow Tables sheet without displaying the formulas in the formula bar. Only the values are displayed. This feature is useful particularly for historical cash flow retrieval without having to recalculate the workbook and also if you want to present a report of upcoming cash flows or payments. Also using a different file type, for example, .csv, you can export the cash flow data into another application. You can extract all of the data or specify a data range. You can save the cash flow table as one of the following file types:

Web Page (*.htm)

Text (*.txt)

Comma Delimited (*.csv)

Excel Workbook (*.xlsx)

Excel Macro-Enable Workbook (*.xlsm)

Excel Binary Workbook(*.xlsb)

Excel Template (*.xltx)

Excel Macro-Enabled Template (*.xltm)

To generate a cash flow report

1. Open your workbook (for example under Workbooks, select Swaps, and click Vanilla Interest Rate Swaps) and calculate your results using your input data.

2. Open the Cash Flow Tables worksheet.

3. Under the FINCAD ribbon, click Workbook Utilities, then Generate Cashflow Report, or right-click in the sheet and choose Cashflow Report.

The Cashflow Report dialog box is displayed.


4. Select:

All, if you want all of the cash flow dates in the report, or

From, if you want specific dates in the report. You will need to complete the date text boxes.

5. Select:

New worksheet, if you want the report to be displayed in the same file on another sheet and click OK, or

File, if you want to save the file to a different location and click OK. The Save As dialog box is displayed. Choose a location and file type and click Save.

6. Finally, select the Include column headers check box if you want labels to be displayed in your report.


Documentation

You can access this user guide as well as other valuable documents such as What’s New through Documentation under the FINCAD ribbon.


Feedback

FINCAD welcomes and encourages feedback from you. Click Provide Feedback on the FINCAD ribbon to contact FINCAD with your questions and feedback.


Support Resources

Click Support Resources to choose a link to our Customer Service Center where you can access various help documentation such as Math and Function References, Frequently Asked Questions, Newsletter Articles, and Function Release Notes among others. You can also send us your questions and feedback about the product.


Function Error Handling

The Function Utilities menu lets you turn on (or off) error handling and validate your inputs when error handling is enabled.

Disable or Enable Error Handling This lets you disable or enable error handling. The default setting is that the error handling is enabled. Click to either enable or disable.

Note: If the error handling is disabled, you cannot use the Validate Inputs feature, which specifies the input argument that is causing the #VALUE! error message.


Validate Inputs Given a correct set of input arguments, a function will calculate and return results. However, if some input data is incorrect or the calculation could not be performed due to a particular combination of input values, an error condition will arise, i.e., #VALUE! error message.

Note: The Validate Inputs feature is only available in the 32-bit version of FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel.

To use the validate inputs feature

1. Go to the cell with the function, i.e., the highlighted yellow cell on a pasted function

2. Select Validate Inputs under Error Handling in the FINCAD ribbon.

3. You can also right click on the mouse after selecting a cell with the function and select Validate Inputs.


Once selected, the Validate Inputs feature identifies the input arguments that are causing the error condition by providing a message and highlighting the particular cell with the suspected argument. For the function to output properly, you will need to edit the argument causing the error.

When a correct set of arguments are input and the validate inputs feature is selected, it will give a Validation OK message.


Common Causes of #VALUE! Error Message Given a correct set of input arguments, a function will calculate and return results. However, if some input data is incorrect or the calculation could not be performed due to a particular combination of input values, an error condition will arise.

Input Errors

Restrictions may apply to the values of some input arguments (both single valued or arrays). For example 'cpn' must be greater than zero (>0).

If an argument value violates a restriction, the FINCAD function will not calculate and will return the error code #VALUE! to the cell or cells containing the function.

The restrictions most often violated are:

value date must be equal to the first date in the discount factor curve;

termination date must fall on or before the last date in the discount factor curve;

each cash flow date must fall before the last date in the corresponding discount factor curve.

Calculation Errors

The calculation may also fail due to some condition in input data (and return #VALUE!). For example, input yield may be too large for the function to handle. This is a more difficult problem to resolve as it involves systematically checking all input data and running the function with different values until results can be calculated.

Runtime Errors

If a runtime error occurs while calculating a FINCAD function, isolate the problem in an example and report the problem to FINCAD for correction as this may indicate a defective function.

If you still cannot solve the #VALUE, please email your question and spreadsheet to [email protected].

Note: A valid subscription is required to access the Client Services team. Please contact your account manager for more information on the status of your support subscription.


Check for Updates

Periodically, FINCAD releases new versions and maintenance versions of its software. Select Check for Updates under the FINCAD ribbon to check whether the FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel version you are using is the latest one.


About

Select About under the FINCAD ribbon to open a window that provides information on the FINCAD Analytics Suite for Excel version that you are using and the status of your license. You can also access the License Manager and the License Agreement, and contact FINCAD from this window.


Using Excel Functionality

This section is designed to provide an introduction to the following Excel functionality that will make it easier for you to work with FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel:

Calculating Arrays

Using Named Ranges

Using Absolute and Relative Cell References

Goal Seek

Excel Function Wizard


Calculating Arrays Arrays can be used to calculate a number of values in a single formula or to expand tables. For example, in FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, arrays are used to output all or several statistics of a function at once. Arrays are also used to generate cash flow tables.

To calculate All Statistics using arrays

For FINCAD functions that output more than one statistic, you can output all or several of the statistics at once. For example, the function that values European style options using the Black Scholes Generalized model, aaBSG, outputs up to eight (8) statistics (fair value, delta, gamma, theta, vega, rho of rate, rho of holding cost, probability of exercise). To paste an example that outputs all the statistics of this function, highlight the function in FINCAD Analytics Finder, click Paste Example, then Paste Example Options, and select All statistics.

Note: This feature does not apply to FINCAD fc function types.


Once you select All statistics, you can paste an example. The function displays all the statistics output by the function.


To calculate selected statistics using arrays

Alternatively, you can create an array and select the statistics that you want the function to output. Again use the pasted example of the function aaBSG as an example. On the FINCAD Analytics Finder, highlight aaBSG and click Paste Example. The pasted example will output fair value. Aside from the fair value, you want to output these three stats: delta, gamma, and the probability of exercise.

1. You first need to determine what the numerical values of these stats are. You can find this information in the Function Reference. When you open the Function Reference, it lists stats that the function outputs in the Returns section and gives a numerical value and a corresponding word description of each.


2. Once you determine that the stats values for fair value, delta, gamma, and probability of exercise are 1, 2, 3, and 8 respectively, type those on a blank section of the spreadsheet (C14:C17 in the example). You can enter the numbers in a different order such as 1,8,3,2 to return the statistics in a different order.

3. Select the cell which contains the formula =aaBSG(…) (B14 in the example). Open the function wizard. In the function wizard, go to the argument “stat” and change the reference input to C14:C17 and click OK.


4. Select the cells that contain the formula plus cells that you want to output the stats to (B14:B17). Once the cells are selected, click anywhere in the formula bar.

5. Once the cursor is in the formula bar, click the CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER keys at the same time. Doing this will generate an array in the highlighted cells for the statistical outputs in cells C14:C17.

6. To label the results, you can utilize the aaSwitch function and enter the new reference points. This enables the function to generate the word descriptions of the referenced stat value.


7. In our example, go to the cell with the label fair value (cell A14). On the formula bar, replace the reference cell $B$10 with C14 and press Enter.

8. Select the right bottom corner square marker for cell A14 and drag it down from cell A14 to A17 to copy its contents across these cells while automatically updating relative cell references in the function aaSwitch, i.e., copying the function =aaSwitch from cells A14 to A17 changes the reference to the second input argument from C14 to C17 as well.


9. If the Excel Calculate Option is set to Automatic, then the function aaSwitch automatically returns the values fair value, delta, gamma, and probability of exercise. If the calculation setting is set to Manual, press F9 or Shift-F9 for the labels to update.


To extend cash flow tables using arrays In FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, arrays are also used to display cash flow and other tables.

1. Highlight the whole cash flow table and continue to extend this to highlight the new row or columns you want to add to the table.


2. Click anywhere on the formula bar and press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER at the same time.

The table is now extended.


To format an extended cash flow table

1. Click on the row with the format that you want to apply to the extended cash flows

2. Click Format Painter

3. Highlight the cells that you want to format.

Note: When the array area exceeds the actual results output by the function, a #NA message appears on the cells that contain the array but no longer have calculated results.


Creating Named Ranges Another useful Excel feature is named ranges. The name definition function lets you assign a name to a selected range of cells. This name can then be used in FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel function formulas.

For example, let’s say you created a holiday list that you will use as an input to a FINCAD function. Rather than entering the cells referencing the holiday list directly into the function, you can create a name for the range of dates on the list and enter the name defining the holiday list instead.

There are two sections in Excel where you can create a name definition: in the Name Box or on the Insert menu, under the Name submenu, then Define.

To create a named range using the Name Box 1. Select the cell or range of cells that you want to name.

2. In the Name Box, type in the name you want to assign to the selected cells and press Enter.

Example

You have a holiday list that you want to name as holidays.

1. Select the range of cells that you want to name.

2. In the Name Box, type holidays and press enter.


To create a named range using the Define command 1. Select the cell or range of cells that you want to name.

2. Under the Insert menu in Excel, select Name, then Define.

3. Type in the name you want to assign in the Names in workbook text box for example holidays.

4. Click OK.

In the above example, the named range created only includes ten sets of holiday dates. If you have a list that contains data that expands or contracts, you would have to manually re-reference the range of cells defined in the named range.

Rather than re-referencing the range of cells defined in the named range, you can create a dynamic named range that automatically re-references the defined range of cells.


To create dynamic named ranges Dynamic named ranges automatically revise the defined name and will reference cells that have values within the defined range. In FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel, this functionality is used in defining the discount factor curve and holiday list found in the workbooks. To create a dynamic named range, the Excel OFFSET and COUNT functions are used.

1. Under the Insert menu in Excel, select Name, then Define.

2. Type in the name you want to assign in the Names in workbook text box for example holidays.

3. In the Refers to text box , type in the formula =OFFSET($A$1,0,0,COUNT($A$1:$A$200),1).

4. Click Add to define the named range. The actual cells covered by the named range will be highlighted when you click into the Refers to box. In the example, cells A1:A10 are highlighted since these are the cells that contain values. Click OK.

As defined in Microsoft Excel Help, the OFFSET function returns a reference to a range that is a specified number of rows and columns from a cell or range of cells. The reference that is returned can be a single cell or a range of cells and you can specify the number of rows and the number of columns to be returned. It has the syntax OFFSET (reference, rows, columns, height, width).

Reference – is the reference from which you want to base the offset. Reference must refer to a cell or range of adjacent cells. In the formula, we set the reference to $A$1.

Rows – is the number of rows, up or down that you want the upper – left cell to refer to. In the formula, we set the rows to zero since we want the name range to start from the reference cell $A$1.

Columns – is the number of columns to the left or right that you want the upper-left cell of the result to refer to. In the formula, we set the columns to zero since we want the named range to start from the reference cell $A$1.

Height – is the height, in number of rows that you want the returned reference to be. In the formula, we used the Excel function COUNT to count the number of cells that contain values in the range A1:A200. The syntax of this function is COUNT(value1, value2…)

Width – is the width, in number of columns that you want the returned reference to be. Since we are only looking at one column, we input 1 in the formula.


Suppose that in our example, we added holiday dates to our current list to include dates up to December 31, 2010. The dynamic named range will automatically include these additional cells. To check this, Under the Insert menu in Excel, select Name, then Define, select the name holidays, and then click the Refers to box. The actual range of cells defined by the name holidays will be highlighted. In this example, the range of cells automatically expanded from cells A1:A10 to A1:A30.


Using Relative and Absolute Cell References

Relative Cell References Relative cell references work in this manner: when you copy a formula from one place in the worksheet to another, Excel adjusts the cell references in the formulas relative to their new position in the worksheet.

Example

Copying the function aaAsian from cells B15 to C15 changes the reference to the input arguments from

=aaAsian(B2,B3,B4,B5,B6,B7,B8,B9,B10,B11,B12,B13)

to

=aaAsian(C2,C3,C4,C5,C6,C7,C8,C9,C10,C11,C12,C13)


Absolute Cell References Absolute cell reference on the other hand, is a cell reference in a formula that does not change when copied to a new location.

To make a cell or a range absolute, you add a string ($) before the letter and number that make up the cell address. You can type the $ sign yourself or you can press F4 after typing the cell address.

Example

You are creating a spreadsheet for a portfolio of options. You want to use relative references for the input arguments required by the function so that when you copy the formula down each row, it will adjust the cell reference in the formula relative to their new position in the worksheet. However, you want the function to always reference the value date input in cell B1. You can do this by making this cell address absolute.


Goal Seek The Goal Seek function can be used if you know what the result of a formula should be but not what a specific input value is for the formula to determine the result. Go to Data > What-If Analysis > Goal Seek.

The Goal Seek function asks you to specify the cell you want to change (this is the cell with the formula), the value you want to obtain, and the input cell that should change to get the new value.


Example

You know that a European style call option is quoted in the market for $0.50, but you want to know the annually compounding rate used to determine the option value.

Use Goal Seek to determine the rate by setting cell B14 to value .50 by changing cell B7 (the cell with the argument for rate).

1. Click OK to run Goal Seek.

2. Once it finds a solution, click OK on the Goal Seek Status window to accept the solution.

Goal Seek updates your worksheet with the correct values.


Excel Function Wizard The Excel function wizard can be used as an alternative to the FINCAD Function Wizard.

To open the Excel wizard, click on the cell that contains the formula and double click on the fx sign (equal sign (=) in some Excel versions) in the formula bar.

Similar to the FINCAD Function Wizard, use the Excel function wizard to edit the function arguments by linking the inputs by cell reference or by inputting the actual values directly into the function arguments.

Documents

FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel User Guide€¦ · Workbooks Bloomberg® Finance LP Data Specific ... Overview FINCAD Analytics Suite 2014 for Excel is an easy-to-use Microsoft®