Row level forecast

In addition to creating forecast measures, you can create row-level forecasts to predict outcomes at a detailed level, such as based on the region or product line. Insert forecast rows and you can start configuring values for closed and open periods to generate product-level or subcategory-level forecasts.

Similar to forecast measures, you can customize the forecast values, split the time range into multiple time frames, set a formula or default value for the forecast, and so on.
Insert a single forecast row or multiple templated rows at each hierarchical level.

Only if you have previously created forecast measures can you add forecast row(s).

1. Generating a forecast

Once you have created a regular forecast measure, you can generate row-level forecasts by selecting a specific row and then choosing the option Insert Row > Forecast Row.

The options shown in the screenshot need to be configured to generate a row forecast.

1.1. Row name: Enter a name/category label for the row that will hold forecasted values.

1.2. Insert as: Choose to insert a single forecast row or replicate the forecast row across all levels of the hierarchy with the Templated option.

Select the Templated option if the row categories repeat across all levels of the hierarchy.

1.4. Closed period: The forecast row for earlier or closed periods can be populated in three ways:

Linked Row
Formula
Data Source

1.5. Open period: The forecasts for future or open periods can be populated in four ways:

Linked Row
Formula
Data Source
Data Input

We will now look at examples for the above options.

Linked Row

Choose this option if you want to populate the forecast row by referencing values from another existing row. The forecast row is linked, which means any change in the linked row is reflected in the forecast row.

In the example below, we have used the 'Linked Row' option for both closed and open periods. The row with the brand 'Artisan Ale' is linked to the forecast row. Click Save.

The forecast row is shown below:

Formula

You can use a formula to set forecast values for closed and open periods. We'll use the same example as before, this time configuring a formula for open periods. Click Save.

The forecast row values are as follows: the closed period values are linked to the Artisan Ale row, while the open period values are calculated from the total row of Non-Alcoholic Beverages using the set formula.

Data Source

You can choose to populate the forecast row with data source values (source data from native measures).

Data input

The 'Data Input' option allows you to manually enter forecast values.

In the example below, we have used data source values for closed periods and the data input option with the 'None' option for open periods.

Click Next to set the forecast time range and generate the forecast values. This is explained here in detail. The result is shown below:

When you choose the Data Input option, you can specify default values for the forecast. The default values can be a static value, a value from another row, or a formula. You can also choose to leave them blank, as in the previous example.

Static: This option lets you set a static value as a default.

The open period forecast values are populated with the default value set, as shown:

Row: This option sets the default value based on the values from a specific row.

The result is shown below:

A linked forecast row uses values from another row and cannot be edited. It automatically updates whenever the source row changes. In contrast, a data-input forecast row is editable and simply starts with the source row’s values as the default, allowing users to modify them as needed.

Formula: This option lets you use a formula as the default value.

The open period values are the result of the configured formula:

A formula type row contains a formula and cannot be modified. In contrast, a data-input row with formula as default is editable, allowing users to modify them as needed.

2. Configure Period Range

When an open forecast is configured with data input, you can configure the target time period as follows:

2.1. Target periods: The forecast period range is based on the created forecast measure. You can configure the entire row forecast with a single time range or split the forecast period into multiple time frames. Use the Add Range link to create additional forecast ranges.

The target period range option, as shown above, is only available when the open forecast is selected as a data input.

2.2. Set source: You can opt for a blank forecast to manually enter values or refer to another row.

2.3. Source row: When you choose the By Row option in the previous step, you need to select the row whose values will populate the forecast.

2.4. Operation: You can create forecasts using the following options:

Period range: In this option, the forecast values will be copied from the period range specified. In this example, the forecast for January 2025 to December 2025 is sourced from January 2024 to December 2024.

The forecast values are shown below:

Single period: The values from the selected period are used to populate the forecast.

The open forecast range chosen is configured with values from a specific period.

Average of period range: Use the average of the selected period range to populate the forecast.

The forecast row is shown below:

2. Manage Forecast Rows

Editing and managing a forecast row is similar to managing a data input row.

When you click on Manage Rows, a side panel opens.

When you click the edit icon next to the forecast row you want to edit, another panel appears where you can change the settings for the inserted forecast rows. Click on Update after making changes.

You can refer to this section for more information about the options available here.

4. Re-configure Forecast

To reconfigure the open and closed period settings, click on Re-configure in the 'Manage Rows' side panel.

Click on Update after making the necessary changes.

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