Google Sheets PV function
Calculates what a series of payments is worth today: how much you can borrow. In Spanish Sheets it is called VA.
Syntax
English Sheets
=PV(rate, number_of_periods, payment_amount, [future_value])
Spanish Sheets (Mexico locale)
=VA(tipo, número_de_períodos, importe_pago, [valor_futuro])
Spanish Sheets (Spain, Latin America)
=VA(tipo; número_de_períodos; importe_pago; [valor_futuro])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| rate | The rate per period. |
| number_of_periods | How many payments. |
| payment_amount | The payment you can afford, as a negative. |
| future_valueoptional | What should remain at the end; 0 by default. |
Example
PV(rate, number_of_periods, payment_amount) works it out backwards: given the payment you can afford, how much you can borrow today.
=PV(B2/12,B3*12,-B1)
Common mistake
It is PMT worked backwards. Use the same sign convention.
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Practice PV
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
How much you can borrow with PV
PV(rate, number_of_periods, payment_amount) works it out backwards: given the payment you can afford, how much you can borrow today.
In B5, calculate the largest mortgage you can pay off with that monthly payment.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affordable monthly payment | 9000 | |
| 2 | Annual rate | 11% | |
| 3 | Term (years) | 20 | |
| 4 | |||
| 5 | Maximum loan | ||
| 6 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is PV called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Google Sheets it is VA. The formula =PV(B2/12,B3*12,-B1) is written =VA(B2/12;B3*12;-B1) (or with commas under a Mexico locale).
- Why does PV use semicolons in some spreadsheets?
- It depends on each spreadsheet's locale, under File > Settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), arguments are separated by semicolons. Mexico and United States locales use commas.
- What is the most common PV mistake?
- It is PMT worked backwards. Use the same sign convention.