This topic describes how you can create new value nodes linked to named range in an Excel spreadsheet. If you have already created the nodes you would like to link, see Linking Nodes to a Spreadsheet.
Before linking a spreadsheet to DPL, you need to name the key drivers and output metrics (NPV, IRR, Total Cost, etc.). See Excel's documentation for information on naming cells. You may also want to look at the example spreadsheets installed with DPL, as they are all set up for easy linking.
To create one or more linked value nodes, follow this procedure:
- Go to Influence Diagram | Node | Linked Node | Excel Calculation-Linked (this is likely the default link-type indicated by the icon). DPL displays the Create Calculation-Linked Values from Excel dialog.
- Click the Browse button to locate the Excel file (if the model is already linked to a spreadsheet, the Spreadsheet Name box will already be filled in).
- Click OK. DPL displays the Range Names dialog.
- Select the ranges for which you would like linked values to be created. You can select multiple cells by holding down the Ctrl key as you click.
- Click OK. DPL creates a value node and adds them to the Influence Diagram for each range you selected.
The nodes for the cells which contain constant values will be DPL driver nodes. You will want to change some or all of these to decision or chance nodes as you continue building your model.
Versions: DPL Professional, DPL Enterprise, DPL Portfolio
See Also