Calculation problem where a fixed charge is involved

R

Ricardo

Forgive me for asking guidance on something which is probably quite simple.

I've set up a worksheet to calculate all the hidden costs of on-line
auctions and it is the PayPal aspect that is giving me grief.

PayPal charge me 3.4% + 20p per transaction. If I use:

=SUM(B2*0.034+0.2)and C2 and D2 and so on...

....it obviously gives me the right answer but, if I just enter the
formula at the beginning of posting sales and before any purchase or bid
has been made, when I want a nil balance to show, this method shows 20p.

How do I amend the formula for that aspect so that the 20p set charge
only becomes operative once I've entered an amount?

I apologise in advance, but as an only very occasional user of Excel I
can't seem able to get my head around it.

Also, do I have to enter the formula individually for each line, or is
there an "automated" method I can use once I've done the groundwork?

My thanks in advance.

Ricardo
 
A

Alan

=IF(B2<>0,B2*0.034+0.2,"")
To enter in other cells just drag the cell down,
Regards,
Alan.
 
S

Stephen Bye

It never ceases to amaze me that so many people believe that all formulas
should begin with "=SUM(".
Why is that? Is it because in English we refer to calculations as "sums"?
 
R

Ricardo

Alan said:
=IF(B2<>0,B2*0.034+0.2,"")
To enter in other cells just drag the cell down,
Regards,
Alan.
Forgive me for asking guidance on something which is probably quite
simple.

I've set up a worksheet to calculate all the hidden costs of on-line
auctions and it is the PayPal aspect that is giving me grief.

PayPal charge me 3.4% + 20p per transaction. If I use:

=SUM(B2*0.034+0.2)and C2 and D2 and so on...

...it obviously gives me the right answer but, if I just enter the formula
at the beginning of posting sales and before any purchase or bid has been
made, when I want a nil balance to show, this method shows 20p.

How do I amend the formula for that aspect so that the 20p set charge only
becomes operative once I've entered an amount?

I apologise in advance, but as an only very occasional user of Excel I
can't seem able to get my head around it.

Also, do I have to enter the formula individually for each line, or is
there an "automated" method I can use once I've done the groundwork?

My thanks in advance.

Ricardo
Click to expand...
Alan,

Many thanks - so much to learn and so little time.

Regards,

Ricardo
Click to expand...
 
R

Ricardo

Trevor said:
Ricardo

one way:

=IF(B2=0,0,B2*0.034+0.2)

Regards

Trevor


Forgive me for asking guidance on something which is probably quite
simple.

I've set up a worksheet to calculate all the hidden costs of on-line
auctions and it is the PayPal aspect that is giving me grief.

PayPal charge me 3.4% + 20p per transaction. If I use:

=SUM(B2*0.034+0.2)and C2 and D2 and so on...

...it obviously gives me the right answer but, if I just enter the formula
at the beginning of posting sales and before any purchase or bid has been
made, when I want a nil balance to show, this method shows 20p.

How do I amend the formula for that aspect so that the 20p set charge only
becomes operative once I've entered an amount?

I apologise in advance, but as an only very occasional user of Excel I
can't seem able to get my head around it.

Also, do I have to enter the formula individually for each line, or is
there an "automated" method I can use once I've done the groundwork?

My thanks in advance.

Ricardo
Click to expand...
Trevor,

Very much appreciated - thanks!

Best wishes,

Ricardo
Click to expand...
 
R

Ricardo

Stephen said:
It never ceases to amaze me that so many people believe that all formulas
should begin with "=SUM(".
Why is that? Is it because in English we refer to calculations as "sums"?
Click to expand...
Knowing little about the subject (when one learns by attempting to
analyse - or cribbing from - other people's worksheets) if you end up
with something that works you don't (or I don't - perhaps I'm lazy)
tend to make alterations. The law of intended consequences can have a
dramatic impact.

So, I learn a bit more. The thing I like about this particular newsgroup
is the willingness of those who do know to assist those of us who do not.

Thank you all, I do appreciate it.

Ricardo
 
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