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VORSIM User’s Guide

• Overview of the VORSIM model building framework for Excel
• Access programs from the desktop with the VORSIM or Utilities Icons
• The workbook (file) structure for a VORSIM-built model
1. A summary of workbooks (files) in a model directory
• Variable nomenclature and the structure of a VORSIM model
1. The master model variable list for a VORSIM model
• Equation and parameter matrices house equation terms & parameters
1. An equation sheet in an equation workbook
• The demonstration model DEMO - a VORSIM-built model
1. Sheets for lagged variables in a model workbook
2. The {Model} sheet contains the model simulation equations
3. The {Solver parameters} sheet sets convergence parameters
4. The {Current solution status} displays solution variable results
5. Other workbooks are loaded along with the model workbook
• Model design in VORSIM with examples from the model DEMO
• Build a VORSIM model – a 5 step summary
• Comments by VORSIM author

• VORSIM control screen - define structure, add equations, build a model
• [Create a New Model] – click to bring up the model definition menu
1. Fill out the menu with Sheet, Category, Variable codes etc.
2. When done, click button to create a new definition workbook
3. Read messages as the new definition workbook is created
4. A new definition workbook example - <DEMOdef.xls>
5. Enter information, click [Complete Model Definition] button
6. Remove unwanted variables; then click [1. Create --Variables]
7. Create data, equation workbooks; save definition workbook
8. Load data workbook and enter data into the workbook sheets
9. Save data workbook when the data has been entered
10. Load equation workbook from the VORSIM control screen
11. Update the base data; click [Update Basedata sheet for Model]
12. Save the equation workbook and get ready to add equations
13. Equation sheets are ready for the equation writing process
• Write equations in the model equation parameter workbook
1. Click the [Add Equation Parameter Matrix] button
2. This form is used to create all new equation matrices
3. Select the dependent variable and enter equation codes
4. An equation term has been added to the LIST of terms
5. Multiple equation terms can be added at once
6. Create an equation parameter matrix with one click
7. The equation parameter matrix that was created
8. Equation matrices use range names in sheets and the bank
9. Parameters and documentation can be added to matrices
10. Documentation can surround the equation parameter matrix
11. Equation matrices can be restored from the bank
12. Equation matrices can be directly restored from other sheets
13. Other operations in the Equation Bank menu
14. Edit equations with the equation editing menu
15. An equation parameter matrix and the equations it generates
16. Symmetry in Elasticity Matrices
• Create a model – load equation workbook, go to {Variables} sheet
1. Click the [1. Create Model Workbooks] button
2. Select the time period for model simulation, click [OK]
3. The definition workbook returns when model has been created
4. The {Model} sheet of a newly created model workbook
5. Click the [2. Put ALL Equations in Model] button
6. Equations are added and their cells are colored yellow
7. [Create An Alternative Model] – click for an alternative model
1. An alternative model is generated from a menu
2. Example eliminating equations for a category
3. Equations have been eliminated for the NUT category
8. Access models with the [Select Active Model] button
9. A model is configured for solution starting with button 1
10. Select the target cells for the solver with button 2
11. Additional options for model configuration
12. [4. Install Solver] – Click to complete model configuration
• The VORSIM pull-down menu on the VORSIM control screen
• Solve a model with controls on the {Model} sheet of the model workbook
• Use the {Current solution status} sheet to check your solution
• [Save Solution] – click to save solution with a name and description
• [Change Exogenous Variable…] – Click to change exogenous data
1. Select an exogenous variable to be changed
2. Selection brings up a table and chart of the exogenous variable
3. [Change Exogenous Variable] – click to record your changes

• Solution Manager control screen – manage and compare solutions
• [Explain Solution Variable Changes] – click for explanation
1. Select a solution from the list of saved solutions
2. [Choose a variable solution value] – click to select a variable
3. View the explanation of changes in the selected variable
• [Chart Solution Values] – click to chart solution variable(s)
1. View a chart of variable(s) over time (including historical data)
• [Chart Solution Cross-Section] – click for a chart of variables
• [Manage Solutions, Models] – click for solution workbook
• [Create Indicator Workbook] - click to create new indicator workbook
• [Load/Modify Indicators] – click to load and modify indicators
1. Indicator formulas on the {Template} sheet in workbook
2. Add-on formulas on the {Formulas} sheet in workbook
3. Solution sheet with indicator calculations added
• [Create *.lst File with Comparative Charts, Pivot Tables, …List…]
1. {Summary} sheet for a file of pivot tables and charts
2. Filtered list of variables from solutions
3. Pivot chart in Excel 2000
4. Pivot table (example) containing variables for three solutions
• The VORSIM pull-down menu on the Solution Manager control screen
• Change in producer surplus as a welfare indicator in a VORSIM model
• Change in consumer surplus as a welfare indicator in a VORSIM model

• Report Writer +Data Analysis +Solution Charts control screen
• [Create New (Empty) Report (*.rpt)] – transfer data into report
1. The new {Movelist} sheet created in a <Report.rpt> workbook
2. Movelist rows for the report workbook <Nutsales.rpt>
• [A New Report (*.rpt)] – sheet with comments shown
1. Drawsupdem.tmp report – workbook with supply/demand graphs
• [Chart/Trend Data Value] – select data variable for chart
1. Chart of data variable plus a regression trend
• [Regression Analysis of Data] – regression analysis controls
• [Chart Solution Time Series Variable(s)] – plot of variables
• VORSIM pull-down menu on the Report Writer control screen

• Model Manager control screen – manage model files, structure, equations
• [Put All Equations into Bank] – click to bank all equations at once
• [Add Sheets/Variables to Expand Model] – click to expand model
1. Modifications are made to the definition workbook
2. Buttons add Sheets, Categories, Variables to model
3. [Add Sheet] button brings prompt for new Sheet code
4. Sheet code NR has been added to Sheet list
5. Category and Variable codes have been added, sorted
6. [Expand Definition Workbook] - new expanded workbook
7. Descriptions for new codes have been added
8. New {Variables} sheet has been created with new codes
9. [1. Create – Variables] – variable names have been added
10. Create new data, equation workbooks from {Variables} sheet
11. New, empty DEMOdata.xls data workbook
12. [Restore Backup Data] – puts backup data into new workbook
13. Old data has been put in place in new expanded workbook
14. New, empty DEMOeqp.xls equation workbook created
15. [Restore All Equations from Bank] – restores old equations
• [Remove Variables to Shrink Model] – removes unneeded variables
1. Variable qeQWC is selected for removal from Basedata sheet
• [List All Files in Active Directory] – prepare summary file list
• [Edit Banked Equation Matrices – Add/Delete Equation Terms]
• The VORSIM pull-down menu on the Model Manager control screen

• Q&A's – Questions and Answers about VORSIM

Visit www.vorsim.com again for periodic updates and more Q&A’s.