What Is EFFECT Excel Function?
The EFFECT Excel function is used to calculate the annual interest rate, also known as the effective annual rate (EAR), for an investment or loan with compounding interest. This function considers the number of compounding periods per year, enabling users to compare the returns on different investments or loans accurately. It takes two arguments: the nominal rate of interest and the number of compounding periods per year.
In the following example, we will look at how the EFFECT Excel function is used. The table shows the year, nominal rate of interest and number of compounding periods per year (Npery).
To implement the formula, input it in cell B4, as illustrated below:
=EFFECT(B2, B3)
The resultant value will be promptly displayed in cell B4. The effective interest value calculated monthly affects the interest rate.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The Excel EFFECT function calculates the actual annual interest rate earned through compounding based on the nominal interest rate and number of compounding periods per year.
- The EFFECT function factors in compounding periods provide a more accurate representation of the true investment cost or return on the investment.
- The EFFECT function is valuable in financial analysis and decision-making processes, providing a more accurate representation of the actual cost or profitability of an investment compared to simple interest rates.
- Professionals make decisions regarding their financial strategies and optimize their investment portfolios for maximum returns.
Syntax
- Nominal_rate – (Mandatory) This is the base rate that is used to calculate interest payments.
- Npery – (Mandatory) This represents the frequency of compounding periods within a single year.
How To Use Effect Function in Excel?
To effectively utilize the EFFECT function in Excel, follow these steps.
#1 – Access from the Excel ribbon
- Choose an empty cell. Go to the “Formulas” tab and click it.
- Select the “Financial” option from the ribbon.
- Select “EFFECT” from the drop-down menu.
- In the “Function Arguments” window, enter the values for the arguments.
Click OK.
#2 – Enter the worksheet manually
Step 1: Select an empty cell for the output. Type “=EFFECT( in the selected cell. Alternatively, type “=E” and double-click the EFFECT function from the list of suggestions shown by Excel. Enter the values of the arguments and close the braces.
Step 2: Press the “Enter” key to get the result.
Examples
Let us look at some interesting examples to understand the EFFECT Excel function.
Example #1 – Calculate the Effective Rate of Interest Under Annual Compounding
To gain an understanding of the EFFECT Excel function, let us delve into the following example to calculate the effective rate of interest under annual compounding for three years. Look at the values in the table.
Now, let us apply the formula to find the effective rate of interest for three years from 2022-24.
Step 1: Initiate the calculation process by selecting cell B4 to enter the formula. Enter the formula shown below.
=EFFECT(B2, B3)
Step 2: Press Enter. Press Enter. Now, drag the Autofill handle to the right from B4 to D4 to apply it for all three years.
The EFFECT function calculates the effective annual interest rate for each period. It is calculated by taking into account the compounding effect over a period of time.
Example #2 – Calculate the Effective Rate of Interest Under Semi-Annual Compounding
In the following example, let us calculate the effective rate of interest under semi-annual compounding of 5 years.
Look at the table above. To utilize the EFFECT Excel function, follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: In cell B4, enter the following formula.
=EFFECT(B2,B3)
Step 2: Press Enter. The resulting value will be displayed in cell B4, as shown in the image below. Now, using the Autofill handle, drag the formula from cell B4 up to F4. You get the EAR for all the different years for a semi-annual payment.
Now, we can verify this formula numerically. The formula for the EAR value is mathematically represented as:
(1 + rate/number of compounding periods)^number of compounding periods – 1
Step 3: Hence, apply the following formula to cell B5.
=(1 + B2/B3)^B3-1
Step 4: You will get the same result as the EFFECT Excel formula when you press Enter. Now, drag the formula to the right from cells B5 to F5 and check the result. (Format the cells as percentage to view the percentages values).
You get the same values when the EFFECT function is applied, thereby verifying the accuracy of the function.
Example #3 – Calculate the Effective Rate of Interest Under Quarterly Compounding
Similar to the previous examples, let us calculate the effective rate of interest under quarterly compounding for seven years. Let us apply the function.
To use the EFFECT Excel function, follow these steps:
Step 1: Enter the formula shown below in cell B4 and calculate the result.
=EFFECT(B2,B3)
Step 2: The calculated result value is displayed in cells B4 to H4, as shown in the image below.
Important Things To Note
- The “#VALUE!” error occurs when the nominal rate argument, npery argument, or any other argument is not a numeric value.
- The #NUM! error occurs when the nominal rate or npery values are less than or equal to zero.
- If the npery value is in decimal form, it will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
- Using the nominal interest rate and the number of compounding periods, users can quickly determine the true cost or return on investment over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The EFFECT function in Excel is distinct from other financial functions due to its specific purpose of calculating the annual effective interest rate for a given nominal rate and compounding frequency. The EFFECT function hones in on providing a more precise measure of interest rates, taking into account compounding periods.
The function differs from traditional financial functions like PMT or NPV, which focus on specific calculations such as loan payments or net present value. The EFFECT function is particularly useful for comparing different investment options or loan terms as it provides a standardized way to evaluate interest rates across different compounding frequencies.
The common mistakes to avoid using the EFFECT function are:
• Misunderstanding the inputs required by the EFFECT function may lead to incorrect calculations.
• Failing to convert annual nominal rates into effective interest rates can yield inaccurate calculations.
• Neglecting to use absolute references when copying formulas containing the EFFECT function, which can result in miscalculations when applied across multiple cells.
In the following example, we will explore the occurrence of errors in the EFFECT Excel function. We have some values in the table below. Input the formula shown below in cells B4 and C4, as shown below.
=EFFECT(B2,B3)
=EFFECT(C2,C3)
Press Enter.
In the above example, the #NUM! Error occurred because the number of compounding periods per year (Npery) is less than 0, and the #VALUE! Error occurred because a nominal rate of interest is a non-numerical value.
The benefits of using the EFFECT Excel function are;
• The calculation using the EFFECT function is a more accurate assessment of the true cost or return on investment, allowing for better-informed decisions.
• The EFFECT function can assist in comparing different financial products or opportunities by standardizing the interest rates across varying compounding frequencies.
• This evaluates complex financial scenarios and optimizing investment strategies.
• Professionals can make more precise and strategic financial decisions that align with their objectives and maximize returns while minimizing risks.
The limitations of using the EFFECT Excel function are;
• The EFFECT function is specific to calculating the annual percentage yield (APY) on investment with periodic compounding; it may not be used for all financial calculations.
• The EFFECT function only takes two arguments: the nominal interest rate and the number of compounding periods per year, it does not be able to calculate more complex scenarios accurately.
Download Template
This article must help us understand the EFFECT Excel Function’s formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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