How to use the Duration Financial Function in Microsoft Excel

The Duration function in Microsoft Excel is a Financial function, and its purpose is to return the annual return of security with periodic interest payments.

What is the Excel Duration formula and syntax?

The formula for the Duration function is DURATION(Settlement, maturity, coupon, yld, frequency, [basis])

The Syntax for the Duration function is below:

• Settlement: The security’s settlement date. It is required.
• Maturity: The security’s maturity date. It is required.
• Coupon: the security’s coupon date is required.
• Yld: The security’s annual yield. It is required
• Frequency: The number of coupon payments per year. It is required.
• Basis: The type of day count basis to use. It is optional.

How to use the Duration Function in Excel

To use the Duration function in Microsoft Excel, follow the steps below.

1. Launch Excel
2. Create a table or use an existing table
3. Type the formula for the Duration function into the cell you want to place the result
4. Press Enter to see the result

Launch Microsoft  Excel.

Create a table or use an existing table.

Type the function =DURATION(B1,B2,B3,B4,B5,B6) into the cell you want to place the result.

Then press the enter key to see the result.

There are two other methods to use the DURATION function in Excel.

Method one is to click the fx button on the top left of the Excel worksheet.

An Insert Function dialog box will appear.

Inside the dialog box in the section, Select a Category, select Financial from the list box.

In the section Select a Function, choose the DURATION function from the list.

Then click OK.

A Function Arguments dialog box will open.

In the Settlement field, type B1, the cell that contains the security’s settlement date.

In the Maturity field type B2, the cell contains the Security’s maturity date.

In the Coupon field type B3, the cell contains the Security’s coupon date.

In the Yld field type B4, the cell contains the security’s annual yield.

In the Frequency field type  B5, the cell contains the number of coupon payments per year.

Then click OK.

Method two is to click the Formulas tab and click the Financial button in the Function Library group.

Then select the DURATION function from the list.

A Function Arguments dialog box will appear.

What is the difference between Settlement date and Maturity date in Excel?

The Settlement Date is the day the buyer purchases a coupon, while the Maturity date is when the coupon is expired.

Why does Duration return the error values #NUM and #VALUE in Excel?

Excel will return the error value #NUM if the coupon is < 0 or if yld is > 0 or if the frequency is 1,2 or 4 or if settlement is ≥ maturity and if the basis is < 0 or >4.  The Duration function will return a #VALUE if the security and maturity is an invalid date.

We hope this tutorial helps you understand how to use the DURATION function in Excel.