Win Loss Charts are an interesting way to show a range of outcomes. Lets say, you have data like this:
win, win, win, loss, loss, win, win, loss, loss, win
The Win Loss chart would look like this:
Today, we will learn, how to create Win Loss Charts in Excel.
We will learn how to create Win Loss charts using Conditional Formatting and using Incell Charts.
Win Loss Charts in Excel using Conditional Formatting:
Step 1: Create a helper column where we show cumulative totals
This is easy. Just show cumulative sum of numbers like this:
Lets say this is in D4:D16
Step 2: Create a 100 cell grid
Type numbers 1 thru 100 in one hundred adjacent cells, one each in a column.
Then resize this grid so that you can fit everything in a screen.
Lets say, this is in F3:DA3
Assumption: I assumed that the total number of wins and losses we have is 100. If you have more, adjust accordingly.
Step 3: Fetch the Win or Loss Status for Each of the 100 Cells
This is a bit tricky, but easy once you figure out the formula. We will use INDEX+MATCH.
For each column, we will lookup the corresponding number in our cumulative total table and once we find a match (not exact match, but a number less than what we are looking for), we just return the corresponding win or loss value.
We will write this formulas in the range F4:DA4,
This formula will do: =INDEX($C$4:$C$16,MATCH(F$3,$D$4:$D$16,1))
How this formula works?
1. We are looking for a column number (F3) in the range of cumulative totals (D4:D16) for a less than match (1)
2. Once found, we want the corresponding element from C4:C16 (where the win – loss labels are maintained).
Step 4: Copy the cells F4:DA4 and paste them as links in F5:DA5
Step 5: Apply conditional formatting
Now, we just apply conditional formatting to cells F4:DA4 such that whenever the cell is “Win”, we fill it with Green color.
Similarly, we apply CF to F5:DA5 such that whenever the cell is “Loss”, we fill it with Red color.
Finally, hide the cell values in F4:DA5 by using custom cell format code ;;;
Related: How to Apply Conditional Formatting
That is all. Your Win Loss Chart is ready.
In-cell Win-Loss Charts in Excel:
We can create a slightly less accurate win-loss charts in Excel using In-cell charting approach.
See this illustration to understand the technique.
Follow this procedure:
- Create 2 helper columns – H1 & H2.
- In H1, print the | symbol for Win and print spaces (” “) for loss. When printing spaces, divide the value by x.
- “x” will depend on the font & font size you choose. For script font, 11 pt size, it is 2.2
- In H2, do the same for Loss.
- Now concatenate all H1 values and print somewhere.
- In the cell beneath, concatenate and print all the H2 values.
- Change color of above cell to Green and below cell to Red.
- Your in-cell win-loss chart is ready!
Bonus: Create Quick Win Loss Charts with Excel 2010
In Excel 2010, Microsoft introduced Win-loss charts. So, now you can easily create a win-loss chart. To do this, just select the binary data (1 for win, -1 for loss) and go to Insert > Sparklines > Win/loss chart
For more info: Visit Introduction to Excel 2010 Sparklines
Download Win Loss Chart Excel Template
I have made an excel template that creates win loss charts using conditional formatting and in-cell charts.
Go ahead and download the excel workbook [Excel 2003 version here]
Play with it to understand how to make win loss charts.
Do you use Win Loss Charts?
Personally, I never had to use win loss charts. But I have seen various applications of this chart. Win loss charts are effective in visualizing results from sports, stock markets and other such areas.
What about you? Have you used win loss charts before? How did you make them? Please share your techniques and ideas using comments.
More Excel Charting Tutorials:
- How to make a 5 star chart like Amazon.com
- Use Analytical Charts to make your boss love you!
- Interactive Chart in Excel to Show Effect of Grammy on Music Album Sales
- Dynamically Show or Hide Chart Series to give your viewers Control
- What are panel charts & How to use them in Excel?
- More Charting Tutorials, Templates & Examples
- Learn how to create, format & customize both simple and advanced charts by joining Excel School program.
62 Responses to “Introduction to Financial Modeling using Excel [Part 1 of 6]”
Oooh! Chandoo - are you looking to outperform the Altman Z-Score?
I'm all ears 😉
Many thanks, Paramdeep. Looking forward to the remaining parts of the series
Thank you Paramdeep. I look forward to following the series.
Those interested in Financial Modelling may also find this site interesting:
http://www.fimodo.com/
Hi Chandoo,
Really looking forward for this awesome financial modeling journey 🙂
All the very best..
Regards
Rohit1409
Hi Chandoo,
it seems the future is not away when we will have a new software/spreadsheet as competitor to Microsoft Office/Linux etc.......Hats Off to you..
KEEP SMILING
GURU
@apex, clarity: Thanks...
@all: I do hope that you have started creating the model for the simple case given.. Lets see, what according to you all is the best way forward. So your views on the best practices for the template for valuation?
The planning process varies depending on the project and type of data I am looking at.
If I am doing a cost impact study based on actuals, verses a cost impact study to estimate future cost, verses reviewing historical data then creating a model, verse having to review historical data, apply it to a draft model, update the model based on the draft outputs and the presentation then sometimes repeat the process a few times.
Revisions are an absolutely necessary part of corporate financial modeling especially for the presentation sections. A good presentation will be revised multiple time. There are just to many elements which cannot be planned for, especially with ad hoc reports/models.
Revisions are leading cause of errors, and time spent tracking down errors. The more complex the model the more important revision control is. I would be interested in a section on revision control and good methodologies to determine the effect of changes on models. That is without having to due detail review of the whole model over again.
Hi Paramdeep,
I can't wait for the continuation of this series. You have done a great job in making technical terms appear simple and easy to understand. This article is also very useful in our line of business, in fact i will be featuring this article in our site. Of course the credits will go out to you.
Many thanks and keep it up!
Drew
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@Drew: Thanks! Hope that you found the tutorials useful. Feel free to get back with any queries.
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Great information, i also want to learn financial modeling, how to learn
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chando bhai i m tired for looking financial modeling detail but i cant find it anyway. so plz kindly send me full detail of financial modeling from beginning levelo to final. where i learn complete modeling procedure n order to become professional
You noob, you won`t become a professional like that, you need to do it on your own and learn as you go
@Nadeem Bhai,
The 6 links to the tutorial at the top of this post, build a small integrated financial model step by step. We are also running a complete 8 weeks course on financial modeling (similar to excel school). But that is almost 50% complete right now. If you want to join, you can join the next batch (probably starting in Jan/ Feb)
Feel free to get back, if you have any queries regarding the model/ steps in creating the same
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I want to learn how to build a financial model
Dear Lulama,
You can use this tutorial to learn to build a financial model. We also run a course on financial modeling and project finance modeling. The details can be obtained from:
http://chandoo.org/wp/financial-modeling/
You can consider joining that as well.
I would strongly encourage you to join the newsletter to get the updates about financial modeling and the next batch starting for the course.
I want to learn thorough excel and financial modelling thing !!! I am a chartered accountant..CAn you please suggest a detail syllabus that should be learn by me. Also suggest any classes that would cover everything in excel and financial modelling related things.. I stay in mumbai, so please suggest a class in mumbai or any books..byyee.. thanks ..
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Hi Vivek,
We do conduct the financial modeling course online as well as in Mumbai. We start with the basics of excel and build a completely integrated financial model in the class. For details you can look at:
http://chandoo.org/wp/financial-modeling/
or
http://www.edupristine.com/courses/financial-modeling/prisitne-fm-offering
Please describe to me various type of financial modela and demonstrate how a model can be build.
Regards,
Dear Immanuel,
This series of articles does exactly that. If you go step by step through the articles and create the excel sheets on your own, you will understand how to create an integrated financial model.
Alternatively, if you are looking for video sessions, you can consider joining our course:
http://chandoo.org/wp/financial-modeling/
It is expected to reopen somewhere in mid july.
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Paramdeep Hi! A bit ignorant here, but let's ask anyway. Can I access "recorded" video sessions apart from following the step by step articles?
Thanks!
@Marius: Yes, we do have a training program with recorded video sessions. If you are interested, you can enroll for the same. The details can be obtained from: http://chandoo.org/wp/financial-modeling/
i want to know about the scope of financial modeling.i also want to know after doing financial modeling course what are the job prospect, like where i can found job so plz send me full detail of financial modeling from beginning levelo to final.
I am interested to join your Financial modelling class cos am involved in a new business. But I have a Macbook Air with Excel for Mac installed. Would that work with your program?
Dear Charsiew,
The complete training program is built using Excel 2007 with MS windows. Though there is nothing specific to Microsoft in the training. I think a few people have joined the program and are using MAC. If you write an email to me on paramdeep @ gmail.com, I can send you the email ids of those participants and you can get to know their feedback and difficulties in using the program.
This is great, when does the next batch start?
Dear Karan,
The course is in recorded format and you can register for the same as soon as you want.
Paramdeep, thanks. I'm venturing into financial modelling for the first time and from the little I've read from your website already, I'm sure I'll find your resources very useful; thanks once again.
Dear Seun,
I am glad that you are finding the resources to be useful. Feel free to send in comments with your feedback and further questions.
hie ppl...I jst wantd a small favour cn smone help me out in calculating EBITDA, along with its working, from wipros annual report 2011-2012, link - http://www.wipro.com/investors/annual-reports.aspx
...PLZ plz... i am having a submission tommorow.
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Nice article.
In designing Excel Financial Models I design the user interface as friendly as possible and structuring the input variables in the workflow of the client's operations so that they can flow through the impact of the input variables in Excel using buttons and macros and giving the model transparency.
Cheers
Arthur
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Another step to build any financial model is to do a financial analysis beforehand. This normally helps to design and come up with good projections.
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