Content area

Abstract

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation includes a wide range of stochastic techniques used to quantitatively evaluate the behavior of complex systems or processes. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) software is, arguably, the most commonly employed general purpose tool for MC simulation. Despite the popularity of the Excel in many industries and educational institutions, it has been repeatedly criticized for its flaws and often described as questionable, if not completely unsuitable, for statistical problems. The purpose of this study is to assess suitability of the Excel (specifically its 2010 and 2013 versions) with VBA programming as a tool for MC simulation. The results of the study indicate that Microsoft Excel (versions 2010 and 2013) is a strong Monte Carlo simulation application offering a solid framework of core simulation components including spreadsheets for data input and output, VBA development environment and summary statistics functions. This framework should be complemented with an external high-quality pseudo-random number generator added as a VBA module. A large and diverse category of Excel incidental simulation components that includes statistical distributions, linear and non-linear regression and other statistical, engineering and business functions require execution of due diligence to determine their suitability for a specific MC project.

Details

1009240
Company / organization
Identifier / keyword
Title
Assessing Excel VBA Suitability for Monte Carlo Simulation
Publication title
arXiv.org; Ithaca
Publication year
2015
Publication date
Mar 29, 2015
Section
Computer Science; Statistics
Publisher
Cornell University Library, arXiv.org
Source
arXiv.org
Place of publication
Ithaca
Country of publication
United States
University/institution
Cornell University Library arXiv.org
e-ISSN
2331-8422
Source type
Working Paper
Language of publication
English
Document type
Working Paper
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2015-07-22
Milestone dates
2015-03-29 (Submission v1)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
22 Jul 2015
ProQuest document ID
2083384767
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/working-papers/assessing-excel-vba-suitability-monte-carlo/docview/2083384767/se-2?accountid=208611
Full text outside of ProQuest
Copyright
© 2015. This work is published under http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2020-10-22
Database
ProQuest One Academic