Explore two simplified allocation models with this portfolio allocation template for Excel: an age-based stock/bond split and a score-based allocation across liquid assets, fixed income and equities. Enter assumptions to see how the workbook translates them into percentages and amounts.
Important calculation issue: the score-30 lookup row allocates 5% to liquid assets, 50% to fixed income and 90% to equities, totaling 145%. The workbook is not a validated investment recommendation or a ready-to-use allocation plan. Review the model and lookup tables before relying on any output; the original download remains unchanged.
Format: ZIP containing one Excel XLSX workbook with Intro and Template sheets plus a hidden configuration sheet. The Template sheet includes age, invested amount, six goal ratings, allocation percentages and calculated dollar amounts.
Extract the ZIP and save a working copy in Excel. The Intro sheet describes protected calculation cells and using Tab between input cells. Keep the original source attribution and review usage terms. A separate Word or PDF version is not included.
What the two models actually do
Age-based allocation
Enter age in D7 and total invested amount in D8. The stock amount in D11 is calculated as:
Invested amount × (100 − age) / 100
D12 assigns the remainder to bonds, and E11:E12 show percentages. This is a mechanical rule of thumb, not an assessment of time horizon, cash needs, capacity for loss or investment suitability.
The sheet has no comprehensive age validation. Leaving age blank can effectively treat it as zero in the arithmetic, while an age above 100 can produce a negative stock allocation. Entering data successfully does not make the resulting mix appropriate.
Goal-rating allocation
The Template sheet asks for six ratings from 1 to 5 in D16:D21:
High long-term total return.
Tax-deferred appreciation.
High after-tax current income.
Low total-return fluctuation.
Low single-period loss probability.
High liquidity.
D22 adds the ratings, and lookup tables assign asset percentages and a further equity breakdown. Although the Intro text refers to five goals, the worksheet contains six, giving a valid entered-score range of 6–30 if all ratings follow the printed instructions.
A single total loses information: very different priorities can produce the same score and therefore the same allocation. The file supplies no verified suitability methodology or individualized risk assessment behind those lookup choices.
Calculation checks before interpreting an allocation
The highest-score row totals 145%
The lookup row at I200:L200 contains score 30 with 0.05 liquid, 0.50 fixed income and 0.90 equities. For an entered amount of 10,000, that produces allocations of 500, 5,000 and 9,000—a total of 14,500.
This is a source-table error, not rounding. Do not treat the output as a funded plan. An intended replacement mix cannot be inferred reliably from the file; review the table rather than arbitrarily changing a cell or automatically normalizing the percentages.
The lookup ranges and input limits need review
D26:D28 use approximate VLOOKUP formulas over I195:L200. The first populated score threshold visible in that range is 11, while valid six-rating totals can be 6–10. Check the low-score behavior explicitly rather than assuming every permitted score has a valid allocation.
The workbook also needs validation for complete ratings, values outside 1–5 and nonnumeric entries. A nonzero total alone does not establish that the six responses are valid.
Equity percentages have a different denominator
The equity subsection assigns percentages to equity income, growth and aggressive growth. Those percentages apply to the equity amount in E28, not directly to the whole portfolio. They are a breakdown of an allocation already counted, not additional asset amounts to add to the portfolio total.
Check totals without implying suitability
The workbook’s D29 and E29 sum the main percentage and amount allocations. In a separate check area, you could add:
=IF(COUNT(D26:D28)<3,"Check allocation outputs",IF(ABS(SUM(D26:D28)-1)<0.000001,"Totals 100% only — review suitability","Allocation total error"))
This optional check flags missing numeric outputs and a total different from 100%. It does not validate the lookup method, investment choices or suitability. Also inspect negative percentages and check each category individually. The formula is not installed in the download.
Example: interpret the age-based calculation
This hypothetical example demonstrates the workbook’s arithmetic only; it is not a recommended allocation.
Input or output
Illustrative value
Age entered
45
Total invested amount
20,000 currency units
Stock percentage from the rule
100% − 45% = 55%
Stock amount
20,000 × 55% = 11,000
Bond amount
20,000 − 11,000 = 9,000
Total
20,000, or 100%
Two people aged 45 can have different goals, withdrawal needs, liabilities and ability to withstand losses. The arithmetic alone cannot determine whether this split fits either person.
Asset allocation and diversification are different
Asset allocation divides investments among categories. Diversification concerns how exposures are spread both across and within categories. Investor.gov’s asset allocation and diversification guidance explains the role of time horizon and risk tolerance and notes that narrowly focused funds may not provide broad diversification.
The workbook does not inspect holdings, overlapping fund exposures, issuer concentration, currencies, credit quality or investment costs. Its category labels do not guarantee capital protection or a particular return.
What this worksheet does not track
Current holdings: No transaction-level portfolio register or automatic brokerage connection.
Market data: No live prices or automatic valuation updates.
Allocation drift: No current-versus-target holdings comparison or complete rebalancing schedule.
Risk and performance: No volatility, correlation, drawdown or historical-return calculation.
Tax outcomes: A goal mentioning tax deferral does not establish an investment’s tax treatment.
Use an investment record for a separate holdings or transaction record, keeping the chosen valuation date and currency clear. Do not count both a fund and all its underlying holdings as separate portfolio value.
Keep model outputs separate from investment decisions
Record the purpose, review date and assumptions beside any illustrative allocation. If monitoring a separately established target, compare it with current holdings on the same valuation basis. Rebalancing also involves transaction costs, account restrictions and possible tax consequences; it is not simply a spreadsheet instruction to trade.
Does the template calculate allocations automatically?
It contains age-based formulas and score lookups. The score-30 row totals 145%, and other input and lookup limits require review. Do not treat automatic output as validated advice.
Is “100 minus age” a personalized recommendation?
No. It uses age alone and does not assess the investor’s circumstances or objectives. It is a simplified calculation to understand, not a universal rule to follow.
Does a total of 100% mean the portfolio is suitable?
No. It only shows that the allocation percentages reconcile. Suitability, diversification, risk and product characteristics require separate consideration.
Can I use it to rebalance existing holdings?
It does not include a verified holdings-versus-target or trade calculation. You would need a separate current-value record, an independently established target and a reviewed process.
Can I enter another currency?
You can relabel amounts consistently. Changing the display symbol does not convert values; convert mixed-currency inputs on a documented basis before combining them.
Can I use Google Sheets or export a PDF?
You can try importing the XLSX or exporting a checked PDF. Verify formulas and layout after conversion. The source-table issues remain unless they are addressed.
