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IF() formulas to calculate semi-monthly periods

Semi-monthly payments involve a more complex use of the IF() formula, and you will need to think about how to use the IF() formula! Remember that the IF() function takes a condition (like if EOMONTH() equals a cell value), then if it matches provides the first value. Otherwise, it provides the second value.

Remember; if the function =EOMONTH(start_date, 0) equals the last payment made, then the last payment made was on the last day of the month. In this case, you can add 15 days to the last payment for a mid-month installment.

Otherwise, you can use the =EOMONTH(start_date,0) to provide the last date of a month where a mid-month installment has already been paid.

This exercise is part of the course

Loan Amortization in Google Sheets

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Exercise instructions

  • For rows 4-7, type in the IF() formula that will provide a value equal to the expected date. Refer to the cell values, and check if the start date equals the EOMONTH().
  • For rows 10-14 you will need to fill in the EOMONTH() formula, the start_date + 15 formula as well as the IF() formula.
  • Finally, for rows 17-19 you will need to fill in a single IF() formula which will accurately calculate the next semi-monthly payment without referring to any cells other than the start date.

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