The Upload Forecast Data Template (UFDT) is a fast and flexible way to bring forecast and budget data into Castaway via Excel. Castaway generates the template directly from your Project, ensuring all available data entry points for your elements are included. Beyond its core use, the UFDT is also a versatile tool for scenario planning, version control and record keeping.
The UFDT is exclusively for forecast and budget data beyond your current Active Actuals Month (AAM). To bring in actuals data via Excel, refer to: Data Integration: Excel and Actuals Templates
Generating the Template
- Navigate to Forecast > Upload
- Click Build Forecast Data Template, an Excel file will be immediately downloaded
We recommend building your chart of accounts and configuring your element settings before generating the template, so that all data entry rows reflect your latest setup.
Navigating the Template
The template is divided into four column types:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Column A - Element Name | Element names taken directly from your Castaway Project. To change a name, rename the element in the chart of accounts directly. |
| Column B - System Codes (hidden) | Unique system codes that link template values to the correct elements in your Project. Do not delete, alter or reposition these codes. |
| Column C - Data Type | The forecast data entry points available for each element, based on your current element settings. For example, if your Revenue Method is set to Units x Rate, Enter Units will appear as a data entry row. |
| Column D onwards - Forecast Months | The months available for forecasting. Months with imported actuals will not appear unless you roll your AAM back. |
Working with the Template
The UFDT supports a number of working styles:
| Working Style | Detail |
|---|---|
| Excel formulas | Use formulas such as VLOOKUP or SUMIF to pull values from another sheet within the template or from a separate Excel file. Useful where your budget is already prepared in a separate worksheet. For a full list of supported and unsupported formulas, refer to: Function List |
| Multiple tabs | An increasingly common approach is to use multiple tabs to hold calculations and source data. Where this approach is used, ensure the forecast data tab is always positioned first in the workbook. |
| Single workspace | Forecast all elements in one place rather than element-by-element in Castaway. |
| Version control | Save different versions of the template to track how your forecast changes over time. |
To troubleshoot common issues with the UFDT, refer to: Troubleshooting: Upload Forecast Data Template (UFDT)
Uploading the Template
Once your forecast data is complete, return to Castaway and navigate back to Forecast > Upload, and either click Click to Upload or drag and drop the file into the designated upload area.
Other Uses
Scenario planning
Build separate versions of the template representing different scenarios - for example, worst-case and best-case - and import each one to generate a corresponding three-way forecast. This is a powerful tool for business strategy and planning.
Record keeping
For fast-moving or fast-growing businesses that reforecast frequently, saving or generating a new template each time creates a history of how your forecast evolves over time.
If you need any assistance please contact our support team at: support@castawayforecasting.com