Thread: RATE returns the #NUM! error value

I am trying to use the RATE function, and I am at a loss for why I always get
the #NUM! error. I viewed this document:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...092321033.aspx. I tried
referencing values within cells as well as entering them directly into the
formula, both failed. Any ideas?

Post the exact formula you are using.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com
1
"JC" <JC@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3A387EAB-34CF-465C-9C06-EF31BD515A06@microsoft.com...
>I am trying to use the RATE function, and I am at a loss for why
>I always get
> the #NUM! error. I viewed this document:
> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...092321033.aspx. I
> tried
> referencing values within cells as well as entering them
> directly into the
> formula, both failed. Any ideas?

I figured it out... FV MUST BE a negative number.

"JC" wrote:

> I am trying to use the RATE function, and I am at a loss for why I always get
> the #NUM! error. I viewed this document:
> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...092321033.aspx. I tried
> referencing values within cells as well as entering them directly into the
> formula, both failed. Any ideas?

For reference for others:
the syntax: =RATE(Nper,Pmt,Pv,Fv)
this is what failed: =RATE(3,65,1072.29,1000)
this is what worked: =RATE(3,65,-1072.29,1000)

"Chip Pearson" wrote:

> Post the exact formula you are using.
>
>
> --
> Cordially,
> Chip Pearson
> Microsoft MVP - Excel
> Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
> www.cpearson.com
> 1
> "JC" <JC@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3A387EAB-34CF-465C-9C06-EF31BD515A06@microsoft.com...
> >I am trying to use the RATE function, and I am at a loss for why
> >I always get
> > the #NUM! error. I viewed this document:
> > http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...092321033.aspx. I
> > tried
> > referencing values within cells as well as entering them
> > directly into the
> > formula, both failed. Any ideas?
>
>
>

More precisely, the PV and FV values must have opposite signs.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com


"JC" <JC@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:63FD5EB1-8EE9-4DA6-AE5B-447A9AB9752B@microsoft.com...
>I figured it out... FV MUST BE a negative number.
>
> "JC" wrote:
>
>> I am trying to use the RATE function, and I am at a loss for
>> why I always get
>> the #NUM! error. I viewed this document:
>> http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...092321033.aspx. I
>> tried
>> referencing values within cells as well as entering them
>> directly into the
>> formula, both failed. Any ideas?