Workshop: Using Excel for Financial Applications

The main focus of the curse are the following topics

• Lookup-Functions (VLOOKUP / HLOOKUP)
• Solver-Function
• How to retrieve financial data
• Conditional Statements (IF / AND / OR)
• Regression
• Simulations

We will use the Excel functions for the following applications (among others):

• Portfolio Optimization
• Performance Evaluation
• Option Pricing

The course is designed as a computer workshop. Guided by the lecturer, students will solve specific problems in finance using Excel. Students will learn some of the essential Excel features and advance their prior knowledge in finance theory by implementing finance theory into practice using Excel.

By the time that students have completed the course they will be able to…

• Apply the Lookup-functions (VLOOKUP / HLOOKUP) in Excel
• Use Conditional Statements (IF / AND / OR) in Excel
• Apply the SOLVER-function to solve optimization problems related to finance
• Perform a Regression analysis in Excel
• Perform Simulation of financial data in Excel
• Download financial data into Excel

The main resources for learning are lecture slides and exercises. There is no required textbook for the course. The following LinkedIn Learning Course covers a lot of the topics:Excel: Advanced Formulas and FunctionsAs a WHU student you can access LinkedIn Learning through the Library:Professional DevelopmentFor students with no or little prior knowledge in finance that still want to take this course, I recommend the following book: Bodie, Kane & Marcus (2021): Investments; McGraw-Hill.

The course is designed as a computer workshop. Guided by the lecturer, students will solve specific problems in finance using Excel.

Students are required to havea ccess to a computer with an internet connection and MS Office (Excel). Basic knowledge of Excel (entering values into cells, etc.) is expected.