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Examples

This section provides practical examples of using finPack in Microsoft Excel.

The examples combine the finPack task pane, Excel worksheet functions, and CPI data to demonstrate common workflows.

Retrieve a CPI Value​

Learn how to retrieve the CPI for a specific country, series, year, and month.

The example covers both:

See Retrieve a CPI Value.

Calculate Annual CPI Increase​

Learn how to calculate the conventional CPI increase between a selected month and the same month one year earlier.

The example uses:

=FINPACK.CPIINCREASE("ca","all-items",2026,9)

See Calculate Annual CPI Increase.

Compare Average CPI Periods​

Learn how to compare average CPI values over two consecutive periods of equal length.

The example demonstrates a 12-month comparison using both:

  • CPI Average Change in the task pane.
  • FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE in an Excel worksheet.

See Compare Average CPI Periods.

Create a CPI History Table​

Learn how to load a complete CPI series and insert the historical observations into a structured Excel table.

The example covers:

  • Selecting the country and CPI series.
  • Loading CPI data.
  • Reviewing the series preview.
  • Inserting the history into Excel.
  • Understanding the inserted columns.

See Create a CPI History Table.

Task pane or worksheet function?​

The task pane and worksheet functions are complementary.

Use the task pane when you want to:

  • Explore available CPI data.
  • Review the latest CPI information.
  • Retrieve values interactively.
  • Review estimated-data indicators.
  • Insert CPI data into Excel.

Use worksheet functions when you want to:

  • Include CPI calculations directly in workbook formulas.
  • Reference CPI results from other Excel formulas.
  • Build reusable financial or analytical models.
  • Change CPI inputs through cell references.

In many workbooks, both approaches can be used together.