Charts and graphs are used to make information clearer and easier to understand. They play a critical role in helping people to visualise large amounts of information, make better decisions and communicate their results to others. This modelling guide explains how to make quick charts and how they can be useful in analysing data. In this guide we analyse the trend of operating revenues, operating costs and operating profits / (losses) over the timeline of a project.

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MAYANK
Mayank Sharma is a financial modeller with F1F9. He has worked predominantly on infrastructure and renewable energy projects. He likes watching movies and listening to music.
Financial Modelling
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4. Charts and graphs are used to make information clearer and easier to understand. They play a critical role in helping people to visualise large amounts of information, make better decisions and communicate their results to others.
This modelling guide explains how to make quick charts and how they can be useful in analysing data.
In this guide we analyse the trend of operating revenues, operating costs and operating profits / (losses) over the timeline of a project.
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GATHER THE DATA FOR REVENUES
Price per unit is multiplied by production and the forecast period flag to calculate forecast operating revenues. Formula in J12: = $F9 * J10 * J11
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Gather the data that is to be analysed. In this case, we will gather operating revenues, operating costs and operating profits / (losses) over the project timeline.
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GATHER THE DATA FOR OPERATING COST AND OPERATING PROFITS / (LOSSES)
Operating costs are multiplied by a cost escalation factor and a forecast period flag to calculate the forecast operating costs (including escalation). Formula in J20: = $F17 * J18 * J19
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Financial Modelling
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GATHER THE DATA FOR OPERATING
COST AND OPERATING PROFITS / (LOSSES)
Operating costs are subtracted from operating revenues to calculate operating profits / (losses). Formula in J27: = J25 - J26
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SELECT DATA FOR PLOTTING THE CHART
Once the required data is gathered, select the data from column J onwards up to the end of the timeline.
And press F11.

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PLOT THE CHART
Once you press F11, the quick chart will be plotted in a new worksheet. You can analyse the trend of the data set by looking at the quick chart. If you want to plot the quick chart on the same sheet, use Alt + F1. All three line items (operating revenues, operating costs and operating profits / (losses) are plotted on the same chart. But what if I want to analyse the trend of each line item one by one?

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PLOT THE CHART – ONE LINE AT A TIME
Select the operating revenues line from column J onwards. Press F11 Operating revenues appear in a quick chart and in a new worksheet.

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SELECT OPERATING COST
Go back to the source data once more. Now, select operating costs from J column onwards up to the end of the timeline. Then, to copy the data to the clipboard: Press Ctrl + C Return to the existing chart showing operating revenues. Press Ctrl + V The operating costs data is added to the quick chart.

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SELECT OPERATING PROFIT
Repeat for operating profits / (losses). Return to the source data. Select operating profits / (losses) from J column onwards up to the end of the timeline. Press Ctrl + C Now, move to the existing chart and paste the data. Press Ctrl + V The quick chart will appear as shown.

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ANALYSE THE CHART
Operating costs appear to increase at a constant rate (as a result of the cost escalation factor). Operating revenue is stable but contains anomalies. In most periods, profits are 50,000 USD to 150,000 USD. Losses in periods 11 and 12 are obvious – and it is clear that revenue is the problem. It is easy to see from the quick chart. Quick charts can focus your attention. You now know exactly what you should investigate to explain the losses.