Create a forecast

A forecast is always based on a budget workbook that has been published to a stream, which could be a budget or a previous forecast stream. You save a budget as a forecast. In other words, you convert the budget into a forecast. If the budget workbook includes a Balance Sheet, Cash Flow budget or any driver tabs, they are also converted into a forecast.

  1. In the budget workbook, ensure the Main budget tab and any driver tabs and Balance Sheet tab you want for the forecast are published to a stream.

  2. Click Menu > Save as forecast.

  3. In the Create Forecast Workbook window, enter a name for the forecast. For example, Forecast 3+9. 

  4. (Optional) Select a different budget stream on which to base the forecast. 

    • A default stream, which is your last published stream, is selected for you. If no stream is selected, it means the budget workbook has not been published to a stream.

    • You might want to select a different stream from the default stream. For example, you might have another budget with exactly the same structure, such as a stretch or worst-case scenario budget, and that is what you have been using recently, so you prefer to base your forecast on that budget.

  5. (Optional) Change the default actual stream and actual measure.

  6. Select the Actual + Forecast periods you want in your workbook.

    • This is the period that you want to forecast. For example, suppose your budget runs from July 2022 through to June 2023 and you have just completed the month of October (the fourth month in the budget). You want to bring in your actual data from July to October (four months) and forecast from November onwards. Therefore, you select the 4+8 option.

    • You can amend this period selection later, as time progresses.

  7. (If applicable) Select the items you want to bring across from the budget workbook into the forecast period. This step displays if your budget workbook has any other tabs.

    • By default, all the budget worksheet tabs are selected, and therefore, included in the forecast workbook. If you do not want any of them, click the Filter button and clear the checkboxes of those you do not want.

    • All cell comments are included by default, so if you do not want them, clear the Cell comments checkbox.

       

  8. Click Save and finish or Next, as applicable.                     

  9. (If applicable) Select the Budget Stream, Actual Stream and Actual Measure for the Balance Sheet (see 3-statement budgeting) and each driver. 

    • This step displays if your budget workbook has any other tabs, in which case, you need to provide additional information to bring in data for the corresponding stream(s).

    • In the forecast workbook, in addition to the main (P&L) forecast, you will see the additional tabs. For example, in the following image, the workbook includes a Balance Sheet and Cash Flow forecast in separate tabs.

  10. (If applicable) Click Save and finish.

  11. Proceed to explore your forecast workbook.