totn Excel Functions

MS Excel: How to use the SLN Function (WS, VBA)

This Excel tutorial explains how to use the Excel SLN function with syntax and examples.

Description

The Microsoft Excel SLN function returns the depreciation of an asset for a period based on the straight-line depreciation method.

The SLN function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Financial Function. It can be used as a worksheet function (WS) and a VBA function (VBA) in Excel. As a worksheet function, the SLN function can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet. As a VBA function, you can use this function in macro code that is entered through the Microsoft Visual Basic Editor.

Syntax

The syntax for the SLN function in Microsoft Excel is:

SLN( cost, salvage, life )

Parameters or Arguments

cost
The original cost of the asset.
salvage
The salvage value after the asset has been fully depreciated.
life
The useful life of the asset or the number of periods that you will be depreciating the asset.

Returns

The SLN function returns a numeric value.

Applies To

  • Excel for Office 365, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • Worksheet function (WS)
  • VBA function (VBA)

Example (as Worksheet Function)

Let's look at some SLN examples and explore how to use the SLN function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:

This first example returns the depreciation for an asset that costs $10,000, with a salvage value of $5,000. The useful life of the asset is 5 years.

=SLN(10000, 5000, 5)
Result: $1,000.00

This next example returns the depreciation for an asset that costs $8,000, with a salvage value of $0. The useful life of the asset is 7 years.

=SLN(8000, 0, 7)
Result: $1,142.86

Example (as VBA Function)

The SLN function can also be used in VBA code in Microsoft Excel.

Let's look at some Excel SLN function examples and explore how to use the SLN function in Excel VBA code:

Dim LValue As Double

LValue = SLN(8000, 0, 7)

In this example, the variable called LValue would now contain the value of 1142.857143.