tech talk
EXCELLENT EXCEL...
Finding which individual amounts are summed together
Is your password ‘letmein’?
Do you ever have a list of transactions that are subtotaled into various amounts, but you need to determine which amounts are summed together to make each subtotal? Before you start randomly adding numbers together, consider using Excel’s analysis add-in called Solver. After you add it, Solver will be located on the Data toolbar. While Solver may save you time in the long run, you will need to prepare your worksheet to get the intended results. I prefer to have all the amounts in a single column. Assume column A. Leave column B blank. Then, in each row of column C, I would write a formula that multiplies the amount in column A by its corresponding blank cell in column B. Then I would insert an Auto Sum formula to the bottom of the formulas in column C to sum the amounts above (currently all zeros). Last but not least, I would subtract the cell with the Auto Sum from the cell of the subtotal I am attempting to have Excel solve. With the workbook set up, you can click Solver under the Data toolbar. (Remember, you will need to add it under File>Options>Add-ins.) With the Solver dialog box open, “Set Objective” to reference the cell that subtracted the Auto Sum in column C from the subtotal it is attempting to solve for, select “Value OF:” and type in zero. If this cell equals zero, Excel has found the amounts in the subtotal. Then, in the “By Changing Variable Cells:” box, select the blank column B cells between the amounts in column A and formula in column C. These are the cells that Excel will keep changing until it finds which amounts are in the subtotal. Additionally, I need to ‘Add’ two “Subject to the Constraints:” for it to work correctly. The constraints are that the changing cells, cells in column B, must be “<= 1” and “= integer.” Lastly, ensure “Make Unconstrained Variables Non-Negative” is selected. These settings cause Excel to use only 0 or 1 to include or exclude an amount from its solution. Now, click “Solve” and hopefully there is now a 1 next to each of the numbers summed together to make the subtotal. Sorry, this tip does not work with a list with repeating amounts, and if you know of a less complicated approach, please let me know. George D. Strudgeon, CPA, CGFM, is an audit director at the Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts in Richmond. Email him if you have Excel topics you want him to cover. george.strudgeon@gmail.com connect.vscpa.com/GeorgeStrudgeon
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DISCLOSURES
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MARCH/APRIL 2018
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DISCLOSURES.VSCPA.COM
If so, you’re not alone — and hackers could be on to you. SplashData released its list of the worst passwords of 2017; some of them appear each year, like the No. 1 worst password, “123456,” but others are more creative. No. 16? “Starwars.” No. 18? “Dragon.” In case you were wondering which sports team makes an appearance first, it’s “lakers” at No. 37. And finally, several swear words are on the list, which will remain unmentionable. Here are the top 10 worst, which don’t win any words for creativity: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
123456 password 12345678 qwerty 12345 123456789 letmein 1234567 football iloveyou
Remember, never use the same password for multiple websites. Create complex passwords by using a variety of characters and numbers, or create a sentence as your password. And finally, use a secure password manager to help you remember them all. More resources are available in a quick online search.
