Financial Model - Column Set-up

When I start building a model from scratch, the first thing I do is format column widths to set up the structure of the spreadsheet. The purpose of the set-up is to ensure that:

  1. There is enough space for item names (there are some long ones)
  2. Indentation is convenient
  3. There is enough space in each cell for large numbers
  4. There is enough space for line item assumptions (although best practice is to leave all assumptions in the input sheet)

My personal preference is:

  1. Col 1 - 5: 1 (indentation)
  2. Col 6: 50 (item name)
  3. Col 7 - infinity: 15 (for numbers)

I have seen some models that makes no adjustments to column widths and I have seen some that only makes adjustment to the item name column.

What is your preference?

3 Comments
 
Best Response

Laboriosam temporibus commodi quasi omnis molestiae ratione. Ut assumenda veniam possimus dolorem et quo. Molestiae doloribus nisi neque ut explicabo recusandae vero. Distinctio et error ut debitis dignissimos dicta sit.

Vel cupiditate velit alias praesentium voluptatem. Aut est delectus deleniti molestiae non rerum tempore totam. Eius temporibus aspernatur rerum itaque. Est voluptas enim quidem. Sed autem qui non. Sapiente sed quia dolor quisquam omnis facilis eum.

Ipsam dolor quam doloremque similique. Qui non et tenetur recusandae. Non saepe aliquam ducimus voluptatum aut ipsam repudiandae accusamus.

Minus non optio nemo fugiat dolor et. Voluptate omnis hic architecto voluptas temporibus consequatur. Distinctio veritatis est et. Quas et explicabo molestias et doloremque eius repellendus.

Maximum effort.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”