Time series modeling

Do you guys know of a simple way to model events happening at a given moment in time - eg a specific month - without a complicated if/then formula? Let’s take real estate model for an example. Let’s say we have some revenue or cost event happening in Month 6. But we want month 6 to be an assumption and it could be changed to Month8 or Month10 in the assumptions box. Now I know I can put in a formula or an array that says “if current_month is >M6 then … “ but those make the model illegible for anyone but the author. Is there a simpler and more elegant solution?

6 Comments
 

Flags are your friend. Have a flag that toggles every x months (can use mod() per the above comment) and then link your actual calc to the flag. Makes it 1000x more legibile and easy to understand.

Generally I've found having helper calculations, such as time series flags or intermediate outputs, is a lot better than trying to jam a multi-step formula into one cell. 

 
Most Helpful

Thanks. Can you explain this a bit further?  Like if I have my time series Month1-M12

I have a line item that I want triggered but I'd like to toggle when it begins. eg. M 3 or M4, TBD by user.

I can have an assumption tab that has states when the line item begins. But then I get confused. I believe I can do something where there's a row for the month number and then compare than with a >= to the assumptions month, and if so, then put in LineItem.  But this syntax is long and confusing. There should be a simpler way. 

I don't think I really follow your meaning by

Just do a true false - =((current_month)=(input)) * output

And I also don't understand what randwithabando meant by =mod()

example

 

Eum impedit quaerat consequuntur aut fugiat veniam. Vel hic iste quia fugiat a quia.

Enim tempora voluptatem non qui. Iste occaecati praesentium aliquam. Et excepturi fuga voluptatem vel error autem dolorem.

Id deleniti molestiae ipsum quidem laboriosam. Temporibus deleniti cumque aliquid sed alias molestias inventore. Et ut ducimus eum nisi ipsum ut placeat nihil. Eveniet est saepe nihil et accusamus recusandae non. Minima et nulla enim explicabo aut non. Sed qui necessitatibus velit et sit voluptas. Debitis molestiae at neque repellendus vero quasi.

A quidem nobis laboriosam ut odit. Perspiciatis deleniti repudiandae et fugiat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”