https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=173409
Bug ID: 173409
Summary: Incorrect and misleading example in the FV function
documentation
Product: LibreOffice
Version: 6.0.0.3 release
Hardware: All
OS: All
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Severity: normal
Priority: medium
Component: Documentation
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Description:
The help text for the FV (Future Value) function in LibreOffice Calc contains
an example that is mathematically incorrect and misinterprets the function’s
output. The current example produces a negative future value, yet the
documentation incorrectly explains it as a positive amount. This contradicts
standard financial sign conventions and the behavior of the FV function.
The existing example uses:
=FV(4%;2;750;2500) → Result: -4234.00 currency units
The help text then states that the value at the end of the investment is
4234.00 currency units, ignoring the negative sign.
Problems in the current example:
The parameters use positive PV and positive PMT, which represent cash inflows.
In financial mathematics, FV returns a negative value in such cases because the
future value represents the net cash outflow required to offset the inflows.
The documentation incorrectly converts the negative result into a positive one,
which is misleading and mathematically wrong.
The example does not follow the standard sign convention used in financial
functions:
Cash received → positive
Cash paid → negative
Expected behavior
The example should either:
Use correct signs so that the FV result is positive, or
Explain clearly why the result is negative and what it means.
The current documentation does neither.
Suggested corrected example
A realistic and financially consistent example:
What is the future value of saving 1200 currency units per year for 18 years at
an interest rate of 3%?
Using standard sign conventions:
PMT = -1200 (payment made each period)
PV = 0 (no initial investment)
Rate = 3%
NPer = 18
Formula:
=FV(3%;18;-1200;0)
Result:
≈ 27,825.57 currency units
This result is positive and correctly reflects the accumulated value of regular
payments over 18 years at 3% interest.
Conclusion:
The current FV example in the help text is incorrect and misleading.
Replacing it with a financially valid example—such as the 18‑year savings
scenario above—would improve clarity and correctness.
Actual Results:
Expected Results:
Reproducible: Always
User Profile Reset: No
Additional Info:
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