Excel is the most widely used tool for dealing with massive datasets. We can perform myriads of tasks of multiple dimensions in Excel. In this article, I will show how to create a multiple credit card payoff calculator spreadsheet in Excel.
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5 Easy Steps to Create Multiple Credit Card Payoff Calculator in Excel Spreadsheet
This is the dataset for today’s article. We have 3 debts and we need to create a payoff schedule for these loans.
Please note that we will follow the debt snowball method. The minimum payments for each loan are in the dataset. We will additionally pay $500 per month to repay the loans.
As per the debt snowball method,
- First of all, we have to pay a minimum amount for each loan.
- Then, we will use the additional payment to pay off the lowest debt.
- After repaying the lowest debt, we will use the additional payment to pay off the 2nd lowest debt and so on.
Now, let’s create the calculator step by step.
Step 1: Calculate Payment of Each Debt for 1st Month
The first step is to calculate the payment of each debt for the 1st month. We will apply different formulas for each debt. Let’s do it.
1.1 Lowest Debt Calculation
First of all, we will determine the payment of the 1st month for the lowest debt. We will use the IF function to do so.
- Go to C11 and write down the following formula
=IF(H5>=C5,C5,H5+C6)
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
Explanation: Since $500 < $2700, the logical statement is FALSE. So the output is H5+H6 i.e $550.
1.2 Second Lowest Debt Calculation
Now, we will create a formula for the payment of the 1st month for the 2nd lowest debt, that is debt-2. This time, we are going to use a combination of the IF and AND functions.
- Go to E11 and write down the following formula,
=IF(H5>=C5+D5,D5,IF(AND(C11=C5,C11<>0),H5-D5+D6,D6))
Formula Breakdown:
- AND(C11=C5,C11<>0)
- Output: FALSE
- IF(AND(C11=C5,C11<>0),H5-D5+D6,D6)
- Output: 130
- IF(H5>=C5+D5,D5,IF(AND(C11=C5,C11<>0),H5-D5+D6,D6))
- IF(FALSE,5000,130)
- Output: 130
- Now, press ENTER. Excel will calculate the payment.
1.3 Last Debt Calculation
Now, it’s time to calculate the payment of the 1st month for the last debt. We will use a similar formula this time.
- Go to G11 and write down the formula
=IF(H5>=D5+E5+C5,E5,IF(AND(E11=D5, E11<>0),H5-D5-C5+E6,E6))
Formula Breakdown:
- AND(E11=D5, E11<>0)
- Output: FALSE
- IF(AND(E11=D5, E11<>0),H5-D5-C5+E6,E6)
- Output: 240
- IF(H5>=D5+E5+C5,E5,IF(AND(E11=D5, E11<>0),H5-D5-C5+E6,E6))
- IF(FALSE,6000,240)
- Output: 240
- Now press ENTER to get the output.
Read More: How to Calculate Credit Card Interest in Excel (3 Easy Steps)
Step 2: Determine Remaining Balance of Each Debt After 1st Month
Next, we will determine the remaining balance of each debt after the 1st month. The formulas will be simpler in this case.
2.1 Lowest Debt Calculation
Here, we will use a formula to determine the remaining balance of the lowest debt (that is debt-1) after the 1st month.
- Go to D11 and write down the following formula
=IF(C5-C11<0,0,C5-C11)
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
2.2 Second Lowest Debt Calculation
Next comes Debt-2. We will simply subtract the 1st month’s payment from the total amount this time.
- Go to F11 and write down the following formula
=D5-E11
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
2.3 Last Debt Calculation
Similar to Debt-2, we will calculate the remaining balance for Debt-3. The calculation is the same. So, I am showing the output here.
Step 3: Calculate Payment of Each Debt for Next Months
After that, we will calculate the payment of each debt for subsequent months. This time, the formulas will be different from the ones for the 1st month.
3.1 Lowest Debt Calculation
First, let’s see the formula for the lowest debt i.e. Debt-1.
- Go to C12 and write down the following formula.
=IF(D11-$H$5-$C$6<=0,$H$5+D11-$H$5,$H$5+$C$6)
Formula Breakdown:
- D11-$H$5-$C$6<=0
- Output: FALSE
- IF(D11-$H$5-$C$6<=0,$H$5+D11-$H$5,$H$5+$C$6)
- IF(FALSE,2150,550)
- Output: 550
- Now, press ENTER to get the output.
3.2 Second Lowest Debt Calculation
Next, we will calculate the payment for Debt-2. This time, we will use a combination of the AND and IF functions.
- Go to E12 and write down the formula
=IF(AND(((F11-$H$5+C12-D$6-C$6)<=0),D12=0),F11,IF((F11-$D$6-$H$5)<=0,F11,IF(D12=0,$H$5-C12+D$6+C$6,D$6)))
Formula Breakdown:
- IF(D12=0,$H$5-C12+D$6+C$6,D$6)
- Output: 130
- (F11-$D$6-$H$5)<=0
- Output: FALSE
- IF((F11-$D$6-$H$5)<=0,F11,IF(D12=0,$H$5-C12+D$6+C$6,D$6))
- IF(FALSE,4870,130)
- Output: 130
- AND(((F11-$H$5+C12-D$6-C$6)<=0),D12=0)
- Output: FALSE
- IF(AND(((F11-$H$5+C12-D$6-C$6)<=0),D12=0),F11,IF((F11-$D$6-$H$5)<=0,F11,IF( D12=0,$H$5-C12+D$6+C$6,D$6)))
- IF(FALSE,4870,130)
- Output: 130
- Now, press ENTER to get the output.
3.3 Last Debt Calculation
Now, I will create another formula that will give us the payment for the subsequent months for Debt-3.
- Go to G12 and write down the following formula
=IF(AND(((H11-$H$5+E12-E$6-D$6-C$6)<=0),F12=0),H11, IF((H11-$E$6-$H$5)<=0,H11,IF(F12=0,$H$5-E12+E$6+D$6+C$6,E$6)))
Formula Breakdown:
- IF(F12=0,$H$5-E12+E$6+D$6+C$6,E$6)
- Output: 790
- (H11-$E$6-$H$5)<=0
- Output: FALSE
- IF((H11-$E$6-$H$5)<=0,H11,IF(F12=0,$H$5-E12+E$6+D$6+C$6,E$6))
- IF(FALSE,5760,790)
- Output: 790
- AND(((H11-$H$5+E12-E$6-D$6-C$6)<=0),F12=0)
- Output: FALSE
- =IF(AND(((H11-$H$5+E12-E$6-D$6-C$6)<=0),F12=0),H11, IF((H11-$E$6-$H$5)<=0,H11,IF(F12=0,$H$5-E12+E$6+D$6+C$6,E$6)))
- IF(FALSE,5760,790)
- Output: 790
- Then, press ENTER to get the output.
Note: This amount is not the correct one. However, the formula is correct. Once we calculate the remaining balances (which are shown in the subsequent steps), we will get the accurate amount.
Step 4: Determine Remaining Balance of Each Debt for Next Months
Now, we will calculate the remaining balances of these debts for the next few months. This time, we must consider the interest applied to the remaining balances.
4.1 Lowest Debt Calculation
First, we will create a formula for Debt-1.
- Go to D12 and write down the formula
=IF(D11-C12<=0,0,(D11-C12)*(1+($C$7/12)))
Formula Breakdown:
- (D11-C12)*(1+($C$7/12)) → ($C$7/12) is the monthly interest rate.
- Output: 1620
- D11-C12<=0
- Output: FALSE
- =IF(D11-C12<=0,0,(D11-C12)*(1+($C$7/12)))
- IF(FALSE,0,1620)
- Output: 1620
- Now, press ENTER to get the output.
4.2 Second Lowest Debt Calculation
This time, we will create a formula for Debt-2.
- Go to F12 and write down the formula
=IF(F11-E12<0,0,(F11-E12)*(1+($D$7/12)))
- Now, press ENTER to get the output.
Note: As soon as you calculate the balance for Debt-2, you will get the accurate payment for Debt-3. Notice that the payment has become $240 now. Previously, it was $790.
4.3 Last Debt Calculation
Next, we will create a formula for Debt-2.
- Go to H12 and write down the formula
=IF(H11-G12<0,0,(H11-G12)*(1+($E$7/12)))
- Now, press ENTER to get the output.
Step 5: Use AutoFill to Create a Calculator
Finally, you must use the Fill Handle and AutoFill feature to complete the calculator.
- First of all, I am using the AutoFill feature for Payment of Debt-1.
- The values are not correct. Once you AutoFill all the columns, you will get the exact values.
Read More: Make Credit Card Payoff Calculator with Amortization in Excel
Things to Remember
- Do not forget to repay a minimum amount in all loans.
- Use the absolute reference to lock a cell.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shown you how to create a multiple credit card payoff calculator spreadsheet in Excel. I hope it helps everyone. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or feedback, please feel free to comment below. Please visit Exceldemy for more valuable articles like this.