Excel SLN function
Calculates straight-line depreciation: the same amount every period. It has the same name in Spanish Excel.
Syntax
English Excel
=SLN(cost, salvage, life)
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=SLN(costo, valor_residual, vida)
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=SLN(costo; valor_residual; vida)
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| cost | What the asset cost. |
| salvage | What it will be worth at the end of its useful life. |
| life | The years of useful life. |
Example
SLN(cost, salvage, life) spreads the loss of value evenly over each year: straight line. DB(cost, salvage, life, period) uses declining balance: it depreciates more at the start and less at the end, as happens with cars and computers.
=SLN($B$1,$B$2,$B$3)
Common mistake
For monthly depreciation, give the life in months (5 years = 60).
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Practice SLN
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
Depreciation: SLN and DB
SLN(cost, salvage, life) spreads the loss of value evenly over each year: straight line. DB(cost, salvage, life, period) uses declining balance: it depreciates more at the start and less at the end, as happens with cars and computers.
In B6, calculate the yearly straight-line depreciation.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cost | 250,000.00 | ||
| 2 | Salvage value | 25,000.00 | ||
| 3 | Useful life (years) | 5 | ||
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Year | Straight line | Declining balance | |
| 6 | 1 | |||
| 7 | 2 | |||
| 8 | 3 | |||
| 9 | 4 | |||
| 10 | 5 | |||
| 11 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is SLN called in Spanish?
- It has the same name: SLN. What changes is the separator: Spanish Excel in Spain and much of Latin America separates arguments with semicolons.
- Why does SLN use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common SLN mistake?
- For monthly depreciation, give the life in months (5 years = 60).