SYD Function (OpenOffice Calc)

• Introduced: First release not established; documented by OpenOffice.org 3.3.
• Supported in: Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16; this is a verified release, not a final supported version.
• Scope: Desktop Calc, English function names and semicolon-separated formulas.
• Checked: October 14, 2026. Eight ordinary reference formulas were recalculated from generated ODF in 4.1.16 on Linux x86-64, Build 9816. Source and independent mathematics were also checked.

SYD allocates Cost−Salvage using descending period weights. For Life=n and Period=k, it returns (Cost−Salvage)×(n−k+1)/(n(n+1)/2). Ordinary whole-period schedules therefore charge more depreciation earlier and less later. Release implementation.

=SYD(Cost; Salvage; Life; Period)

All four arguments are required. Cost, Salvage and Life describe the model; Period selects the allocation. For the usual schedule, use a positive integer Life and an integer Period from 1 through Life. The source directly evaluates the equation without enforcing all of these model assumptions.

The native column contains saved 4.1.16 results; the independent column uses high-precision mathematical calculations. Values are displayed to twelve decimal places, so harmless final-place differences remain visible.

For Cost=1000, Salvage=100 and Life=5, the denominator is 5+4+3+2+1=15. Period 1 receives 900×5/15=300, period 2 receives 240, and period 5 receives 60. These are native examples in the table. The sum of all five modeled allocations is 900.

Keep the period number in a worksheet column and calculate the formula for each row. A fixed Cost, Salvage and Life should remain fixed as the period number changes; accidental relative references can silently change the schedule.

The five weights sum to one after division by 15. This provides an independent total check: 300+240+180+120+60=900, leaving the residual 100. SYD is a weighting calculation, not a forecast that an asset physically loses exactly that market value each year.

Compared with the straight-line amount 180 for the same inputs, SYD allocates more in the first two years and less in the final two. Both arithmetic schedules have the same full-life total when the same cost and residual are used. Choosing an allowed method is an accounting-policy question outside the function.

Fractional Life or Period values enter the source arithmetic without a general partial-year rule. If a schedule uses partial periods, define that convention explicitly rather than assuming a fractional period number prorates the yearly amount in the intended way.

The formula denominator vanishes at Life=0 and Life=−1. A period beyond the stated life can produce zero and then negative amounts because there is no general schedule guard. Validate 1≤Period≤Life with integer periods before treating an output as depreciation. Salvage above Cost similarly changes the sign without validating the economic assumptions.

round, sum, abs.

• Function-specific release entry

The generated ODF input produced the informational load warning “Not all attributes could be read.” After it was acknowledged, the sheet was hard-recalculated and saved separately. All eight ordinary function identities and results were reconciled; a stale SUM cache changed from 999999 to 3 and an uncached SUM returned 7. This establishes the stated formula examples, not every workbook style or every invalid input. The original XLSX was not executed. Other explanatory calculations are independent mathematical checks; this guide does not claim a fully executed amortization schedule, other releases or all boundary cases.