TopRank
Included with the DecisionTools Suite, TopRank performs automated "what-if" sensitivity analysis on Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Define any output or "bottom line" cell or cells, and TopRank will automatically find and vary all input cells which affect your output. The end result is identification and ranking of all input factors which affect your bottom line. New TopRank has been redesigned from the ground up to provide a revamped interface and more robust analyses.
How TopRank Works
Simply take your existing spreadsheet model, select any cell or cells as outputs, and TopRank scans the spreadsheet to find cells which affect your results. Click the 'Run What-if' button and TopRank tries different values for each variable cell, changing values over ranges such as -10% and +10%. Each time a new value is tried, the spreadsheet is recalculated and new results are generated. Upon completion, TopRank ranks the variable cells according to the effect they have on your selected outputs.
TopRank uses Vary functions in Excel to vary inputs across a range. TopRank functions are true Excel functions, and behave exactly as native Excel functions do. TopRank windows point to the cells they refer to via callouts, and changes in one place are automatically carried out in the other.
Graphic Results
TopRank results are displayed in a variety of reports and charts. Graphs include:
- Tornado Graphs - Display the relative ranking of one input versus another by comparing the effects of all inputs on results. For each input, the length of the bar indicates the amount of change the input caused on results.
- Spider Graphs - Also compares the effects of multiple inputs on results. For each input, the percentage changes in its value from the base case is plotted on the X-axis, and the percentage change in results is plotted on the Y-axis. As inputs have different effects on results, the graph often resembles a spider.
- Sensitivity Graphs - The effects of an individual input on results can be plotted with a standard line graph. The value of the input is plotted on the X-axis and the value of results is plotted on the Y-axis. This simple X-Y plot indicates how results change in conjunction with the underlying input.
Two Editions to Meet Your Needs
| TopRank Professional | TopRank Industrial | |
| Automated what-if analysis | X | X |
| Automatic identification of inputs | X | X |
| Tornado, spider, and sensitivity graphs | X | X |
| Specify ranges to vary inputs | X | X |
| Browse through inputs with Tab key | X | X |
| Swap out TopRank functions for non-TopRank users | X | X |
| Change related inputs at the same time | X | |
| Multi-Way What-If Analysis | X | |
| Support for @RISK functions | X | |
| Unlimited Multi-Way What-If Analysis | X |
Designed for your largest, most complex models, TopRank Industrial adds the following features:
Support for @RISK Functions - TopRank Industrial recognises @RISK probability distribution functions to provide more flexibility in modeling variation across an input. @RISK functions can model a greater variety of ranges and probabilities than standard TopRank Vary functions.
Unlimited Multi-Way What-If Analysis - TopRank Industrial supports an unlimited number of input combinations, while TopRank Professional allows only two or three variable combinations.
TopRank Features & Benefits
| Features | Benefits |
| Automated what-if analysis | Quickly focus your analysis |
| Seamless integration into Microsoft Excel | Never leave your spreadsheet; get up to speed quickly |
| Automatic identification of inputs | Saves time |
| Tornado, spider, and sensitivity graphs | Multiple, easy-to-understand ways to identify critical factors and communicate to others |
| Specify ranges to vary inputs | Control analysis to reflect your situation |
| Browse through inputs with Tab key | Easily identify inputs and illustrate to others |
| Swap out TopRank functions for non-TopRank users | Share models with anyone |
| Change related inputs at the same time | Save time defining categories |
| Multi-Way What-If Analysis | Identify scenarios of multiple inputs affecting results |
| Support for @RISK functions | Model variation more accurately |
| Unlimited Multi-Way What-If Analysis | Unlimited combinations of input scenarios |
Part of the DecisionTools Suite
TopRank is part of the DecisionTools Suite, Palisade's complete risk and decision analysis toolkit. TopRank is used to define critical factors for further examination in a risk analysis using @RISK. It can also be used to perform sensitivity analysis on decision tree models in PrecisionTree. Furthermore, @RISK functions can be used with TopRank to model variation in inputs with greater flexibility.
100% Excel
TopRank calculations are performed 100% within Excel, supported by Palisade sampling and statistics proven in over twenty years of use. Palisade does not attempt to rewrite Excel in an external recalculator to gain speed. A single recalculation from an unsupported or poorly reproduced macro or function can dramatically change your results. Where will it occur, and when?
Compatibility: TopRank is compatible with Excel versions 2000 through 2007.
Read more about TopRank at www.palisade.com.