How To
Use case: Setting up FTE employees on graded pay rates
If your organization has staff that are on industry wages agreements, e.g. teachers have an agreed pay rate set by an industry wide agreement. The teachers are graded into Grade 1 – to say 10 pay scales, here is how you can set this up: Step 1: ...
How to remap integration code to a forecast set up without the integration import
If you have create a forecast with an integration but you did not import the data using the integration, the records will not be mapped to your chosen integrations GL Codes so importing data will not work. You can correct this using the steps below; ...
How to use Forecast tags
Open A Forecast and click on the Forecast Name next to the Orange Arrow. In the Tag box, enter the word or number you want to use. Repeat for all forecasts you want to group. From the New/Open screen, click the Tag column and drag into the grouping ...
How To: Allocate overheads and depreciation between subsidiaries, regions or branches
Here is how to to spread costs from the Head Office amongst subsidiaries, regions or branches when using Consolidations. 1. In the Head Office forecast, create a cost record and select the As % of Costs record. Allocate the percentage of the ...
How To: Hotlink from other forecasts
What is Hotlink from other forecasts? Hotlink from other forecasts allows you to pull data in from a record in another forecast. How to use: Prerequisites To use hotlinks from one forecast to another, they must have the same start date, so the data ...
How To Use Forecast To Forecast Hotlinks
The new feature of hotlink to another forecast allows some great capabilities and outcomes. Pre-Requisites To use hotlinks from one forecast to another, they must have the same start date, so the data is matched. And the record in the source forecast ...
How to specify minority interest and associate interests in a forecast
You can specify a minority or associate interest for each forecast in the consolidation as needed. Minority Interest After consolidating, a minority interest % is entered. We then add a line to display the minority share of profit deducted from the ...
How to factor in goodwill
The creation and amortisation of goodwill is now available for consolidations. The process uses the record type of Other fixed Asset. Steps: In the parent forecast, under Fixed Asset, add a new Other Fixed Asset record called "shares” , this records ...
Export Consolidation as a forecast
The purpose of this function is to take the consolidation and save it as a forecast. Then you can import this forecast and treat it like a normal budget/forecast. The idea being if you have number of subsidiaries in your consolidation, you may find ...
How To: Apply a salary increase
Here are 4 ways to factor in a salary increase, either company wide or individually. Option 1 - Company wide From Settings > Payroll Tables & Options > Bonus tab, apply the wage increase, e.g. 10%, to all wages records by changing bonuses from 100 to ...
How to connect to Azure Database
If you want to store the Forecast 5 database on an Azure server, you will need to update the config file to point to the correct server and database. On the server, go to this path: C:\ProgramData\Forecast 5 Ltd Edit the file Forecast5Config.xml in ...
How To: Paste from Excel
What is Paste from Excel? Paste from Excel allows users to copy data to their clipboard and paste into a record. You can also copy data from a record to your clipboard, to be pasted elsewhere (e.g. another record or into excel). How to use: Simply ...
Bulk Employees / Payroll Import Guide and Template
The Employee Group Import or Payroll Import allows you to easily bulk import a number of employees and their salary components into Forecast 5. Go to the attachments tab to download the guide and template.
Taking a Back Up through SSMS
To take a backup using SQL Server Management Studio: Download SQL Management Studio (on both computers) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms Open up the SQL Management Studio. Connect to the SQL ...
How to change the budget Date without moving the data.
Currently, when changing the start dates in Forecast 5, the dates will change but figures will remain in the same order (they will not move to match the previously set months) E.g. But occasionally there is a need to change the forecast ...
Automating SQL database backups
Because Forecast 5 is not yet a cloud solution and currently uses an SQL database to store your forecasts on either your local PC or server, it is important that you arrange for your SQL database to be backed up. If you use the standard local ...
Using Forecast Status
We have recently introduced a forecast status for Admin Pack users. This allows the owner of a forecast to define the status of a forecast; Editable = Anything can be changed in the forecast. Budget Entry = Only numbers can be entered (settings and ...
How to change the default currency for a forecast
Issue: You want to create a forecast for a country not available on our list, e.g. South Africa Solution: Update the default currency to the correct Name, Symbol and TLA. 1. Choose any country, e.g. USD 2. Fill out the details and click Update ...
Using Reset to No Actual’s
The Reset to No Actuals feature is designed to make the next year budget easier. This works by saving your actuals as the budget figures to then allow to you extend the budget into next year using these figures as the basis for extend and amend. ...
IMPORTANT: How To Backup Your Forecasts
Question: I would like to backup my forecasts. Explanation: Currently Forecast 5 is not a cloud-based solution which means that each client is responsible for their own data. We do not have access to your data unless consciously provided. Please ...
Cashflow: Closing Bank Balance vs Calculated Bank Balance
Having completed the budget cycle, it is valuable to be able to monitor performance against the budget. Forecast 5 allows you to do this through either integration to common financial packages (refer your reseller) or entry or import in the actuals ...
Import and Export Forecasts
You may use this function to save your forecast as an external file or to send the forecast to support or a client. Export Forecast 1. Highlight the Forecast you wish to export. Click Export Forecast. 2. Select where to save forecast. Import ...
Opening Balance: Loan Opening Balance Won't Save
Issue / Problem: When in the Enter Opening balances screen, the Loan opening balance will not save: Solution: You must enter the Opening Balance of the loan in the loan record:
Retained Earnings Record and Balance sheet reported retained earning do not agree
Issue: Retained Earnings balance sheet and the retained earnings record are not the same values. Solution: The most likely reason for this it the forecast has a capital changes or Capital reserve record which is transferring in from Retained ...
How To Update Forecast 5
The best way to update to the latest version of Forecast 5 is to go to www.forecast5.com/release and select the relevant version for your PC and location.
How To Update Your Login Details
If you would like to personalise your username and password for Forecast 5, login to Forecast 5 with the default details: Username: Admin Password: (blank) Then go to Update Current User Change the username, enter the old password and enter a new ...
How To Create Templates
In Forecast 5, you have the ability to create templates from existing forecasts. 1. Open Forecast 5 and highlight the forecast you wish to use as a template. Click Copy Forecast No Values from the right-hand menu. 2. Tick "Copy No Values". Rename ...
Opening Balance: Opening Balance of An Asset Does Not Show On Reports
Issue: Entering or changing the opening balance on an asset record does not update on the reports. Solution: You must enter the opening balance through the opening balance screen:
Using bank accounts for shareholders payments and crediting to current account
How to set up shareholders payments and credit to current account Set up a P&L Cost as separately invoiced cost and call it “shareholders salaries” Create a bank account called “Drawings” Create an other debtor/creditor account (Other assets and ...
Update the config file - point Forecast 5 to a new server or database.
If you have a network license and you wish to store the Forecast 5 database on a server, you will need to update the config file to point to the correct server and database. On the server, go to this path: C:\ProgramData\Forecast 5 Ltd Edit the file ...
Moving Forecast 5 from one PC to another.
If you have a Single Computer License and you change computers, there are two ways to do keep your forecasts: First follow the process to deactivate your license in this article How To Deactivate Your License (forecast5.com) Method 1: For those using ...
Forecast 5 Demo Data
Downloaded and installed Forecast 5 and you aren't sure where to start? We have provided a demo data forecast that will help you see most of the features and benefits that Forecast 5 has to offer. Download the attached demo data (found at the bottom ...
Suppress Zero Lines On Reports
By default, zero lines on the report sets will be suppressed. If you would like to show all line, you can go to Settings > Preferences > Report Settings & Security and untick Suppress Zero Rows: Refresh your reports and the lines will appear or ...
Sending Your Database To Support
To send your database to support for investigation, please follow the steps below: 1. C:\ProgramData\Forecast 5 Ltd 2. Copy the data folder to your desktop in a zip folder. 3. Attach the zip folder to an email and send to support@forecast5.com
How To Deactivate Your License
If you have a single computer license and would like to move Forecast 5 to a new computer or you no longer want Forecast 5 activated on a particular machine, follow these steps: Option One: 1) Open Forecast 5. Go to Help. From the Help menu, select ...