Working with more than one timeline in a model is common. Modellers need to be able to take data calculated on a quarterly basis and present it on an annual basis. The principles used in this guide may be used whenever balances calculated using a more frequent time period (e.g. quarterly) need to be presented using a less frequent time period (e.g. annually). In this modelling guide, we will work with balances calculated on a quarterly basis that need to be presented on an annual basis.

1. Financial Modelling
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TIMELINE
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CONVERSION
Balances: quarterly to annual

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4. Working with more than one timeline in a model is common. Modellers need to be able to
take data calculated on a quarterly basis and present it on an annual basis.
The principles used in this guide may be used whenever balances calculated using a
more frequent time period (e.g. quarterly) need to be presented using a less frequent
time period (e.g. annually).
In this modelling guide, we will work with balances calculated on a quarterly basis that
need to be presented on an annual basis.
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HANDBOOK
TIMELINE
CONVERSION
Balances: quarterly to annual

5. If you are not familiar with modelling
balances, download this introductory
guide before you begin.
It will explain the two different types of
line items and offer standard model
components that can be used for all
balances.
Financial Modelling
HANDBOOK
BEFORE YOU BEGIN . . .

6. financialmodellinghandbook.comFinancial Modelling
HANDBOOK
BASICS FOR CONVERTING TIMELINES
There are four basic points that should be considered before we begin:
Worksheets containing different timelines should have the same
number of columns. This helps to retain consistency when taking
data from one timeline to another.
The timeline header of the destination worksheet should be clear
and specific to the presentation timeline.
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2
2

7. financialmodellinghandbook.comFinancial Modelling
HANDBOOK
BASICS FOR CONVERTING TIMELINES
Where data based on one timeline is imported to a worksheet that is
based on a different timeline, the imported data should be marked in
italics.
Italics provide a sign that the imported data is alien to the underlying
structure of the presentation worksheet.
The timeline on which data is being presented should be presented
without italics (i.e. a normal date format).
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4
3
4

8. financialmodellinghandbook.comFinancial Modelling
HANDBOOK
INGREDIENTS FOR CONVERTING BALANCES
To present quarterly balances on an annual timeline, we need three ingredients:
1) Model period ending dates – quarterly;
2) Balances imported from a calculation sheet; and
3) Model period ending dates - annual.

9. financialmodellinghandbook.comFinancial Modelling
HANDBOOK
INGREDIENTS FOR CONVERTING BALANCES
The formula used is:
SUMIF(model period end dates – quarterly, current model period end date – annual,
balances).
This is an example of the SUMIF function being used to pick up a single value.