Package vs A-La-Carte Builder

Excel Formulas › Photography & Creative

All versionsSUMPRODUCT

A package bundles items at a discount to the a-la-carte total. Summing item prices, applying the bundle discount, and showing the savings is how you build and price tiers.


Quick formula: package price from items and a bundle discount:
=SUMPRODUCT(qty, price) * (1 - bundle_discount)
Total the a-la-carte value, then apply the package discount. The difference is the client's savings.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

The example

Items total $900, 15% bundle off.

AB
1ItemValue
2A-la-carte$900
3Package (−15%)→ $765

The formula

The formula:

=SUMPRODUCT(qty_range, price_range) * (1 - bundle_discount) // bundle value × (1 − discount)

How it works

How it works:

  1. SUMPRODUCT(qty, price) totals the a-la-carte value of the included items.
  2. Multiply by (1 − bundle discount) for the package price.
  3. Client savings = a-la-carte total − package price.
  4. Check the package still profits: package price − total item cost > 0.

Discount the bundle, but never below cost. A package discount drives bookings and raises the average sale, but the math has to clear: subtract the included items’ cost (not retail) from the discounted package price to confirm it still profits. Anchoring the package against a higher a-la-carte total also makes the savings feel real — show both numbers on the price sheet.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

A-la-carte total and bundle discount %.

Package · Saves

Variations

Client savings

A-la-carte − package:

=alacarte_total - package_price

Package profit

Above item cost:

=package_price - SUMPRODUCT(qty, item_cost)

Effective discount

Saved share:

=1 - package_price/alacarte_total

Pitfalls & errors

Profit at cost. Check the package against item cost, not retail.

SUMPRODUCT for totals. Multiply quantities by prices in one step.

Show both numbers. Anchor savings against the a-la-carte total.

Practice workbook

📊
Download the free Package vs A-La-Carte Builder practice workbook
A package-builder sheet with the savings, profit, and effective-discount variants, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I price a photography package in Excel?
Total the items and apply the bundle discount: =SUMPRODUCT(qty, price) * (1 - bundle_discount). $900 at 15% off is $765.
How do I show client savings?
Subtract the package price from the a-la-carte total: =alacarte_total - package_price.
How do I make sure the package profits?
Subtract the included items' cost (not retail): =package_price - SUMPRODUCT(qty, item_cost).

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Related formulas: Session price with cost · Print / product markup · Quantity discount pricing

Function references: SUMPRODUCTSUMIF