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Using finPack

This section explains how to use the BPOpti Ribbon and the interactive features available in the finPack task pane.

Use the task pane when you want to explore CPI data, retrieve values interactively, perform CPI calculations, or insert CPI information into Excel.

BPOpti Ribbon​

finPack adds a BPOpti Ribbon tab to the Microsoft Excel Ribbon.

Use the BPOpti Ribbon to:

  • Open the finPack task pane.
  • Access CPI data-provider websites.
  • Access BPOpti resources.

See BPOpti Ribbon for details.

CPI Data​

Use CPI Data to select a country and CPI series and review the latest available information.

The series preview includes:

  • Region and series.
  • Latest available period.
  • Latest CPI value.
  • CPI Increase.
  • Number of observations.
  • Data source.

You can also insert the complete CPI history into a structured Excel table.

See CPI Data for detailed instructions.

CPI Value​

Use CPI Value when you need the CPI for a specific month.

Select the year and month, then finPack displays:

  • The selected period.
  • The CPI value.
  • The change from the previous month.

Estimated observations are identified when applicable.

You can also insert the displayed CPI value into the selected Excel cell.

See CPI Value for details.

CPI Average Change​

Use CPI Average Change to compare average CPI values over two consecutive periods of equal length.

You choose:

  • The period length in months.
  • The ending year.
  • The ending month.

For example, a 12-month calculation can compare:

Average CPI: October 2025 through September 2026
versus
Average CPI: October 2024 through September 2025

If one or more observations used by the calculation are estimated, finPack identifies the result as includes estimated.

See CPI Average Change for details.

Diagnostics​

The Troubleshooting section provides a simple test of connectivity to the BPOpti service.

Use Diagnostics when CPI data or calculations cannot be retrieved and you want to determine whether service connectivity may be involved.

For additional guidance, see Troubleshooting.

Inserting data into Excel​

finPack can insert CPI information directly into the workbook.

Current capabilities include:

  • Inserting a complete CPI series into a new worksheet.
  • Inserting an individual CPI value into a selected cell.

See Inserting Data for detailed instructions.

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.
  • Select inputs interactively.
  • Review the latest CPI information.
  • Review estimated-data indicators.
  • Insert CPI information into Excel.

Use Worksheet Functions when you want CPI results to become part of the workbook's formula logic.

Current worksheet functions are:

FINPACK.CPI
FINPACK.CPIINCREASE
FINPACK.CPIAVGCHANGE

See Worksheet Functions for complete function documentation.

In this section​

Continue with:

  1. BPOpti Ribbon — Open finPack and access related resources.
  2. CPI Data — Browse CPI series and insert CPI history.
  3. CPI Value — Retrieve CPI for a specific month.
  4. CPI Average Change — Compare consecutive average CPI periods.
  5. Inserting Data — Insert CPI series and individual values into your workbook.