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Getting Started

This section helps you prepare Microsoft Excel for finPack and introduces the main features of the add-in.

If you are using finPack for the first time, work through these pages in order.

1. Requirements​

Start with Rrequirements to review:

  • The supported Excel environment.
  • Internet connectivity requirements.
  • finPack worksheet functions.
  • CPI data availability.
  • Estimated CPI observations.

2. Installation​

Continue to Installation Guide for information about installing finPack and making the BPOpti Ribbon, finPack task pane, and worksheet functions available in Excel.

finPack is currently under development, so the public installation process will be documented when the production distribution method is finalized.

3. Quick Start​

After finPack is available in Excel, use Quick Start for a short introduction to the product.

The Quick Start walks through:

  • Opening finPack from the BPOpti Ribbon.
  • Selecting a country and CPI series.
  • Loading CPI data.
  • Inserting CPI history into Excel.
  • Retrieving an individual CPI value.
  • Calculating CPI Average Change.
  • Using finPack worksheet functions.

Main ways to use finPack​

finPack provides two complementary ways to work with CPI information.

finPack task pane​

Use the task pane when you want to explore data, select inputs interactively, review results, or insert CPI information into Excel.

The task pane includes:

  • CPI Data
  • CPI Value
  • CPI Average Change
  • Diagnostics

Excel worksheet functions​

Use finPack worksheet functions when CPI results should become part of the workbook's formula logic.

The current functions are:

FINPACK.CPI
FINPACK.CPIINCREASE
FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE