SYD Function
Calculates sum-of-years-digits depreciation for a specified period.
Syntax
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| cost | Initial cost of the asset. | Required |
| salvage | Value at the end of the depreciation life. | Required |
| life | Number of periods over which the asset is depreciated. | Required |
| per | The period for which to calculate depreciation. | Required |
Basic Example
First-year SYD depreciation
=SYD(10000, 2000, 5, 1)A $10,000 asset with 5-year life depreciates $2,666.67 in the first year using sum-of-years-digits.
Advanced Examples
Example 1: Later year depreciation
Accelerated depreciationDepreciation in the fifth year
=SYD(10000, 2000, 5, 5)How SYD Works
SYD multiplies the depreciable cost (cost - salvage) by a fraction. The numerator is the remaining life, and the denominator is the sum of the years digits (e.g., 1+2+3+4+5 = 15).
Important Notes & Limitations
Produces higher depreciation in early years.
Requires a salvage value.
Does not handle partial periods.
Common Errors & Fixes
#NUM! errorPer is less than 1 or greater than life.Fix: Ensure per is between 1 and life.
Wrong yearPer argument refers to a different period than expected.Fix: Confirm that per matches the period you want.
Download Practice File
SYD
sydPractice SYD with Real Data
Download a sample CSV file with pre-populated data and practice exercises for the SYD function. Works in both Excel and Google Sheets.
File format: CSV (comma-separated values) - opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and all spreadsheet apps