How to calculate the compound interest on an investment using the COMPOUND function in Excel?

To calculate the compound interest on an investment using the COMPOUND function in Excel, follow these steps:

  1. Enter the initial investment amount in cell A1.
  2. Enter the annual interest rate in cell A2.
  3. Enter the number of compounding periods per year in cell A3.
  4. Enter the number of years the investment is held for in cell A4.
  5. In cell A5, enter the formula =COMPOUND(A2, A3, A1, 0, A4).
    • A2 represents the annual interest rate.
    • A3 represents the number of compounding periods per year.
    • A1 represents the initial investment amount.
    • 0 represents any additional contributions made each period (assuming no additional contributions).
    • A4 represents the number of years the investment is held for.
  6. The result in cell A5 will be the total value of the investment after the specified number of years, including compound interest.

Note: The COMPOUND function in Excel uses the syntax COMPOUND(rate, nper, pmt, [pv], [type]).

  • rate: The interest rate for each compounding period.
  • nper: The total number of compounding periods.
  • pmt: The payment made each period (can be left as 0 if no additional contributions are made).
  • pv: The present value or initial investment amount (can be omitted if it is 0).
  • type (optional): The timing of the payment (0 for end of the period, 1 for the beginning of the period).