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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Excel 2007) |
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Can I ask questions before I buy it? |
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Yes, please do! You have about 30 days to use the model as a demo, and
I'll be happy to help you get |
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started. Call, or email, or Skype VOIP is a free internet phone for either
voice or chat. |
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This is a spreadsheet file but I can't see the usual toolbars. Can I
modify it? |
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The native toolbars are hidden from view to prevent damage to the pro
forma’s structure. With such a |
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variety of users it is almost impossible to remotely support the model in
unprotected mode. Think of Excel as |
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a programming environment, and the pro forma as a finished application.
You have access to most of the |
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print set-up features through the print preview screens. Most users find
it easier and more reliable to see |
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only the dedicated toolbar. It is easy to inadvertently damage an
unprotected model and then blame |
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spreadsheets as being unreliable. The real danger is subtle damage that
causes errors that no one sees |
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until the reports are in a loan package and its too late. The settings
area on the Start Tab allows the user to |
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control many common issues automatically. The native toolbars should
reappear after closing the pro forma. |
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The Executive Summary and Budget Tabs can be Exported
to a new Excel workbook for custom formatting. |
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Just press "Export" on the toolbar and the new workbook will appear. This
data can be reformatted for |
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printing but not recalculated. |
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Can I email this file to my partner? What about just the Summary report? |
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You can email the whole model to anyone you like. It creates a demo
wherever it lands. For emailing |
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individual reports, a .pdf writer such as Adobe Distiller works great.
This installs like a printer and |
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you select it in the print window. The report goes into a file you can
email or print without Excel. There are |
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also several free .pdf writers you can find with a web search. A third
option is to use Microsoft OneNote™ |
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or other products to capture screen images and paste them to other
documents for presentation or emailing. |
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You can also email the Exported data (see above). |
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Does this pro forma work with office, retail, industrial or multi-family
property development? |
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Not really. I have a separate pro forma for commercial, retail industrial
properties on this website. I plan to |
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offer a multi-family pro forma soon. Check my website
periodically for other product releases. |
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Can I add more capital categories? (such as more lenders or partners) |
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Yes. The unlimited license allows up to 6 capital sources which can be
used for debt or equity. One of these |
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can be used to refinance original debt or other capital. The demo and
small projects license is still limited |
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to 3 capital sources, and they can be used as debt or equity. |
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Can I get (link to) data from other Excel workbooks? |
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Yes. Goto any unprotected data entry cell in the proforma. Enter a formula
that references the outside |
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data. Example: =[BookName]SheetName!$A$1 gets data from cell A1. |
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If I buy this can I use it on all my computers? |
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The license is only for the computer where it is installed. You can demo
the model for 1 month on another |
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computer, but for regular use you would need to purchase an additional
license for each computer. |
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Do I need to pay again to get updates and new releases? |
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No, there is no charge for subsequent releases of the same product. |
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Do I need to reenter my data if I download a later release? |
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Yes, but you can usually keep using earlier releases of the model. Most
projects don't take long to set up. |
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You can check out any new features and decide if you want to reapply your
project or keep using the old one. |
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I recommend using the latest release for new projects. |
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What are the Small Project License limitations? |
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There are restrictions on number of phases; capital items; unit sale
types; detail projection columns and a |
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ceiling on total project cost and gross sales. On the Toolbar, click
License... Status to see the limits. |
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What if I get a new computer? |
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I will work with you to transfer your license. Ideally you would follow
the uninstall procedure and fax or email the |
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record. Then I'll issue a new license for the new hardware. |
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What if I upgrade my Excel? Will the pro forma work with later releases of Excel? |
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That depends on Microsoft. If it does not, an update will be posted on the web site for free download. |
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Can I use the Excel 2007 pro forma with earlier releases of Excel? |
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No. This release
is for exclusive use with Excel 2007 to make the new file formats and
expanded sheets available. |
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I have a different release
which is compatible with Excel 2000 through 2007, you can use both with
the same license. |
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Do you charge for support? |
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Basic support is always free. I offer about 1/2 hour of free application support per license sale. I
charge for support if it becomes |
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very focused
on analysis, structuring a deal or entering data. I will always let you
know in advance if I need to |
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charge for time. |
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Can the pro forma be customized for a particular client? |
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Yes, but it can take quite a bit of time. I'll be glad to provide a free
estimate with no obligation. |
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Do you do custom programming in Excel? |
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Yes. Please send me your specs. And I'll estimate the cost and work time. |
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How do I buy it? What about the "demo" labels? |
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The demo labels will disappear when the model is licensed. The easiest way
to buy is to press the credit card |
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button on the invoice (Click License… Buy). This is a secure transaction
through PayPal®. You do not need to |
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have a Paypal account to use the feature. With a credit card purchase I
can issue a user license within minutes. |
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My office hours are 8-5 M-F, CST. If you purchase off-hours the license
will be issued the next business morning. |
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(If you use a Paypal E-check or mail a paper check there will be a
clearing delay of a week or more). |
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What if I find an error in the software? |
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This can happen, although rarely. Please let me know right away and I will
update the product, no charge. |
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Your Excel program may need updating: Microsoft has released service packs
for all releases of Excel. If you |
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do not have an important service pack, Excel can be unstable. This is a
free download from Microsoft.com. |
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Please feel free to recommend features you might like to see in the model
and I will try to work them into |
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the next update. |
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