Mutual Fund Screener- Google Sheets Edition

I am delighted to announce that the freefincal mutual fund screener which is a macro-based Excel file has now been extended to work on Google Sheets.

I constantly receive requests to make calculators in non-Excel or online platforms. I have finally been able to do so thanks to the support and motivation of friends and readers. In particular,

Ramesh Venugopal who waded this rather complex Google Apps Script for importing CSV data into a Google Spreadsheet late into the night, modified it to login to our Value Research account and retrieve annual returns for a particular mutual fund category. His modified script is seminal to the development of this sheet.

I also thank Ramesh Vijayaraghavan and Gaurav Aggarwal who also took a crack at this problem and were close to a solution.  Without such support, I would have never touched a Google sheet.

Speaking of which, although it is slow it is crucially more advanced than Excel in handling formulas linked to data that can change by running a marco (or script). Without this, the sheet would have required additional scripts.

How does the screener work?

Once the sheet is set up to work (see detailed slideshow and video below), the user has to login into Value Research (via the sheet) to retrieve annual returns of a particular category.

Then the 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9.10,11,12 year CAGRs are computed.

Three screens are available:

1. Consistency in above CAGRs falling in the top 15 (can be varied) for each duration.
2. Consistency in above CAGRs falling above category average for each duration.
3. Consistency in each year’s annual return falling above category average.

They can be used together or individually to create a shortlist.

Here is a screenshot of the input page.

The sheet involves entering an username and password. Therefore, I do not wish to share the sheet online. Can it be done without affecting privacy?

Please follow these instructions:

1. The screener file (.xlsx) and the script file (code.gs) are available as a zipped file at the end of this post
2. Upload the .xlsx file to Google drive. This will not work in Excel and you need not open it offline
3. Remaining instructions are here in the form of a slide show and a short video

[slideshare id=57189515&doc=freefincalmutualfundscreener-160118174327]

Download the Freefincal Mutual Fund Screener- Google Sheets Edition pack

Thanks to Riyaz (see comment below) we now have have a wonderful alternative:

1. go to this link
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HzG1hg2N7yOdpNVFun7bljMgaTpvj7LPItcXCjPBzps/copy

2. click ‘make a copy’

3. when loaded click menu Freefincal -> Authorize

4. Freefincal -> Get data (observe validation of username and password if its empty)

Do not share the sheet online with your friends! You may end up accidentally sharing your password!! Freefincal will not be responsible if that happens. 

Do give the sheet a try and let me know your feedback.

Note that all Excel sheets which do not have a macro will work in Google sheets. I will convert the ones with macros with this technique. Let me know if you have any favourites so that I can focus on them first. Personally curious to try out the freefincal stock screener next.

Alternative

Ramesh Vijayaraghavan figured out that authentication is necessary for CSV files only. Their html can be imported without username and password. I tried to do this, but failed.

1. go to this link

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17QQ12-4w5zR-q1SD-Z29BTcIuEnVV45725xkVbdIx_c/copy?usp=sharing

2. click ‘make a copy’

3. Select fund category and screen!

Ramesh and Riyaz sent me these modifications within minutes of each other!

Want to conduct a sales-free "basics of money management" session in your office?

I conduct free seminars to employees or societies. Only the very basics and getting-started steps are discussed (no scary math):For example: How to define financial goals, how to save tax with a clear goal in mind; How to use a credit card for maximum benefit; When to buy a house; How to start investing; where to invest; how to invest for and after retirement etc. depending on the audience. If you are interested, you can contact me: freefincal [at] Gmail [dot] com. I can do the talk via conferencing software, so there is no cost for your company. If you want me to travel, you need to cover my airfare (I live in Chennai)

---

Connect with us on social media

• Twitter @freefincal
• Facebook
• Subscribe to our Youtube Videos
• Posts feed via: Feedburner
• We are also on Google PlusandPinterest

---

Do check out my books

---

You Can Be Rich Too with Goal-Based Investing

My first book is now available at a 35% discount for Rs. 258. It comes with nine online calculators. Get it now.  The Kindle edition is only Rs. 199.

---

Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want

My second book is now only Rs 199 (Kindle Rs. 99) Get it or gift it to a youngearner

---

The ultimate guide to travel by Pranav Surya

This is a deep dive analysis into vacation planning, finding cheap flights, budget accommodation, what to do when travelling, how travelling slowly is better financially and psychologically with links to the web pages and hand-holding at every step.  Get the pdf for ₹199 (instant download)

---

Create a "from start to finish" financial plan with this free robo advisory software template

---

Free Apps for your Android Phone

All calculators from our book, “You can be Rich Too” are now available on Google Play!

---

Install Financial Freedom App! (Google Play Store)

---

Install Freefincal Retirement Planner App! (Google Play Store)

---

Find out if you have enough to say "FU" to your employer (Google Play Store)

---

About Freefincal

Freefincal has open-source, comprehensive Excel spreadsheets, tools, analysis and unbiased, conflict of interest-free commentary on different aspects of personal finance and investing. If you find the content useful, please consider supporting us by (1) sharing our articles and (2) disabling ad-blockers for our site if you are using one. We do not accept sponsored posts, links or guest posts request from content writers and agencies.

Blog Comment Policy

Your thoughts are vital to the health of this blog and are the driving force behind the analysis and calculators that you see here. We welcome criticism and differing opinions. I will do my very best to respond to all comments asap. Please do not include hyperlinks or email ids in the comment body. Such comments will be moderated and I reserve the right to delete the entire comment or remove the links before approving them.