This article aims to show you four methods you can use to forecast in Excel. If you own or operate a business, this is a common scenario where you are worried about the future performance of your business. In this article, I will show you four techniques you can use to get some idea about the future performance of your business if the current trend continues by forecasting in Excel.
Download the following practice workbook. It will help you to realize the topic more clearly.
4 Easy Ways to Perform Forecasting on Excel
We use a dataset of distance and the amount spent on that distance. We want to know the future value for the miles driven of 127. The predicted amount will be calculated using some useful functions.
Here, we have used Microsoft Excel 365 version, you may use any other version according to your convenience.
1. Applying FORECAST Function in Excel
The FORECAST function usually calculates or predicts the future value based on a given value. Calculating the existing value this function makes a trend and predicts the future value.
📌 Steps:
- Initially, select cell F5 and write down the formula.
Here,
E5=The driven mile value for which we want to predict the amount
The syntax FORECAST(E5, C5:C15, B5:B15) calculates the future value for the input value with a linear progression and predicts a value for the inserted value.
- Press ENTER.
- Finally, it will show you the predicted amount for your inserted distance.
Read More: How to Do Budgeting and Forecasting in Excel (2 Suitable Ways)
2. Using TREND Function for Forecasting in Excel
The TREND function calculates the values of a given set of X and Y and returns additional Y-values by using the least square method based on a new set of X-values along with a linear trend line. Follow the steps to calculate new Y-values for the new set of X-values.
📌 Steps:
- At first, select cell F5 and write the formula
The syntax TREND(C5:C15, B5:B15, E5:E8) mainly read the data of C5 to C15 and B5 to B15 and finds out the relation. Then for the new set of values in E5 to E15, it predicts the new amount spent.
- Press ENTER.
- Finally, it will show you the new amount spent for your inserted values.
Read More: How to Forecast in Excel Based on Historical Data (4 Suitable Methods)
3. Implementing LINEST Function for Forecasting in Excel
The Excel LINEST function is a statistical function that delivers a linear regression for dependent values with respect to some independent values. This function mainly introduces a line with a regression equation. The simple linear equation for the line is:
y = mx + b (for single range of x)
📌 Steps:
- Firstly, select the cells E5 and F5 combinedly and insert the formula
Here, you have to select the entire value of C5 to C15 and B5 to B15. Now, LINEST will use the least squares procedure and show the slop and Y-axis intercept.
- Finally, your result will look like the below.
Read More: How to Forecast Sales Using Regression Analysis in Excel (3 Methods)
4. Forecasting in Excel Using Fill Handle Tool
First, I am going to show you how you can use Excel’s Fill Handle tool to forecast future results. I hope you know how to use Excel’s Fill Handle tool. But for them who don’t know how to use it, here is the process stated below
📌 Steps:
- At first, select the sales data for the years 2005 to 2007.
- When this data range is selected, you will find a little green square box at the bottom right corner of the selection. This square box is actually the Fill handle This tool is used to fill cells in a worksheet. That is why it is named Fill Handle Tool.
- Hover your mouse pointer over the square box and you see the mouse pointer turns into a black and sharp plus sign. Click and hold your mouse pointer and drag it down.
- Your result will look like this,
- From the comprehensive data, it is apparent that the sales data has an upward trend. I create an XY chart using this data, you see from the chart that the data is in the uptrend. Though there are some trend breakouts in some places; the overall trend is up.
Read More: How to Forecast Sales Growth Rate in Excel (6 Methods)
Practice Section
We have provided a Practice Section on each sheet on the right side for your practice. Please do it by yourself.
Conclusion
That’s all about today’s session. And these are some easy ways to forecast on Excel. Please let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or suggestions. For your better understanding please download the practice sheet. Visit our website Exceldemy, a one-stop Excel solution provider, to find out diverse kinds of excel methods. Thanks for your patience in reading this article.
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