FinancesOSX General Information

FinancesOSX calculates the value of any one of five parameters for five types of financial calculations: Loans, Investments, Deposits, Withdrawals and Inflation ... given values for the remaining four parameters. An amortization table is provided for Loans.

The five calculation types are selectable in the top row of tabs. The five calculation parameters appropriate for each of the five calculation types are selectable in the second row of tabs.

Clicking on a calculation parameter tab presents the result field for that parameter with its [Compute ...] button, and input fields for the remaining parameters for the selected calculation type and parameter. The input fields have white backgrounds. Result fields have gray backgrounds and can not be edited. The result field contents can be copied to the clipboard.

Entering appropriate numbers into the input fields and then clicking the [Compute ...] button will display the selected calculation parameter in its result field.

Clicking on the [Clear] button in each calculation screen will clear its parameter fields (and the amortization table in the loan calculations.) Selecting the [Edit:Clear All] menu item or entering the [Cmd-Shift-X] keyboard shortcut will clear all parameter fields in every calculation screen and the amortization table. It is not necessary to clear the parameter fields or the amortization table prior to changing a parameter or updating a calculation. Each time a [Compute...] button is clicked the calculations are redone with the current parameters. The [Clear] functions are for the convenience of users who prefer to start with a "clean slate" for a calculation.

The current calculation screen can be printed using cmd-p or the <File:Print Screen ...>. menu item. The loan amortization schedule can be printed using opt-cmd-s or the <File:Print Schedule...> menu item.

The <File:New> and <File:Revert> menu items return the calculation screen if it has been closed or sent to the Dock.

Values for the summary row parameters for the loan amortization table are set in the FinancesOSX Preferences panel. The default values are every 12 payments starting with payment #1.

A one, two or three character currency symbol can be set in the Preferences panel. The default is "$." Clicking any [Compute ...] button will immediately display the new currency indicator, rather than waiting until the next relaunch.

A "Y" or "N" preference for calculation of the loan amortization table can also be set in the Preferences panel. The default is "Y", which results in the amortization table being calculated/recalculated each time a [Compute ...] button is clicked, providing the entry fields contain acceptable values. Any characters other than "Y" or "y" saved as a preference in the <Calculate table (Y/N)> field results in bypassing the amortization table calculations when a [Compute ...] button is clicked. The amortization table preferences are automatically updated for the current session whenever the table is recalculated.

Calculations will result in an error message or "NaN" if one or more of the parameters is not in the accepted range.

The accuracy of some results may be within about 0.1% to 1.0% due to rounding and the way in which the functions are calculated.

For information on the specific calculations select one of the links in the table above.

FinancesOSX may be distributed freely, without modifications, as long as this Help File is included.

Charles McCoy

Cincinnati

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