Using the Function Builder
The Function Builder is an interactive tool within the TagniFi Excel add-in that guides you through creating =TAGNIFI(...) formulas. It lets you browse available financial datasets, fill in the required parameters using search-driven inputs or cell references, preview the formula result in real time, and insert the completed formula into your workbook.
1. Browsing and Selecting a Dataset
Start by choosing which financial dataset you want to query.
- Open the TagniFi ribbon tab in Excel.
- Click the Build button to open the Function Builder page. The dataset directory appears with three category tabs at the top: Valuation, Company, and Specialized.
- Click a tab to switch categories. The Valuation tab is selected by default.
- Click a dataset card to open its input form.
2. Data Selection
After selecting a dataset, fill in the input fields to build the formula's parameters. Each field value can be entered directly (a fixed value) or sourced from a workbook cell reference.
- After selecting a dataset, the input form appears. At the top is the formula card showing a live preview of the formula being built. Below it is the Data Selection card with the input fields.
- Fields above the Options divider are required. Fields below it are optional. You can reset any optional field back to its default by clicking the reset button.
- To fill in a field, click its button. A modal opens where you can specify input value(s).
Entering a Fixed Value
Within the input modal, use the Enter value tab (the default) to type or search for a value directly. The available interaction depends on the field type:
- Ticker fields: Type a company name or ticker symbol. Results appear as you type, showing the company logo, name, and ticker. Click a result to select it.
- Tag / Metric fields: Type to search by keyword. For Fundamentals tags, results are filtered to match the selected company's industry template.
- Select fields: Choose from the listed options (e.g., "Adjusted" or "Unadjusted" for split adjustment). Each option includes a short description.
- Date fields: Enter a date value directly.
- Text fields: Type the value directly (e.g., a Deal ID or Series ID).
Using a Cell Reference
Most inputs can also be specified by referencing an existing cell in the workbook, instead of hard-coding a value.
a. Within the input modal, look for a pair of tabs: Enter value and From cell. Switch to the From cell tab to select a cell.
b. Click the Select... button, then click the cell in your workbook containing the input value. The input button will display the selected address and current value.
Using cell references makes automation easy. Once you have built and inserted several formulas, you can update e.g. the target company ticker by modifying a single reference cell - or duplicate an entire row of formulas to create a table of data for multiple companies.
Property selection
Most datasets comprise multiple properties that can be selected for each data point - e.g. relevant dates, links, etc. - in addition to the primary financial figure.
Look for a Property/Select Property... input button to choose which property to return if applicable.
Once all required fields are filled and a property is selected, the Result row appears in the formula card showing a live preview of the value the formula would return.
3. Using the Formula
Once all required fields are filled, there are two ways to get the formula into your workbook: inserting it directly into a selected cell, or copying it to the clipboard for manual pasting.
Insert at Cell
- Select the destination cell for the formula in your workbook.
- Click the Insert at [address] button. A confirmation dialog may appear if the cell is not empty.
Copy to Clipboard
- Click Copy to Clipboard. The formula text is copied to your system clipboard.
- Navigate to any cell in your workbook and paste (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V) to insert the formula.
Once inserted, the formula executes in the cell and the result appears in your workbook.
