Loan Helper FAQ

1. Why write yet another loan calculator?
   We were unable to find a loan calculator that could calculate any of Loan Amount, Annual Interest Rate, Length Of Loan, and Payment Amount. Other Mac OS X calculators allow the user to calculate some of these, but not all of these.
   
   Other calculators force you to work with one calculator at a time. We wanted to be able to show the results from a few scenarios at once.
   
   The addition of the date calculator makes it easier to compare several loan scenarios.
   
   The scroll wheel works on the amortization schedule. A small benefit, but annoying when missing, just try the others.
   
   Free!
   
   
2. How do I select which value I want calculated?
   The radio buttons down the left of the main window control which value will be calculated. Simply select the radio button next to the entry you want Loan Helper to solve and fill in the remaining 3 values. When a value is selected for recalculation, the cell is protected and the background color is changed to a light gray.
   
   
3. How do I trigger a recalculation after changing a value?
   Loan Helper auto-recalcs after a value has changed. Either tabbing off a field just changed or hitting enter after changing a value will trigger a recalculation.
   
   
4. How can I change the payment period from monthly?
   Our goal with Loan Helper was to provide a simple interface. We understand that by removing options to control payment periods we are limiting our audience, but the resulting interface is simpler. We believe that most loans are calculated based on monthly payments.
   
   
5. How can I change the period that interest is compounded at?
   Our goal with Loan Helper was to provide a simple interface. We understand that by removing options to control interest compounding we are limiting our audience, but the resulting interface is simpler. We believe that most loans are calculated this way.
   
   
6. Where do I find the date calculator?
   The ">>" will slide out a drawer with these additional options.
   
   
7. How do I calculate the difference between 2 dates?
   Using the date calculator, enter a FROM and TO date. The difference between these will be calculated.
   
   
8. How do I calculate a date x months in the future?
   Using the date calculator, enter the FROM date and then enter the number of months to add. The TO date will be calculated.