--- title: "Forecast for Budget Planning" slug: "forecast-for-budget-planning" updated: 2025-12-19T11:50:11Z published: 2025-12-19T11:50:11Z canonical: "help.planful.com/forecast-for-budget-planning" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.planful.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Forecast for Budget Planning **Forecast** , a powerful option is used for tracking the adjustments made to your marketing plan while retaining initial budgets. Managing mid-year budget updates poses challenges, especially when trying to maintain visibility into the initial budget amounts. Forecasting simplifies budget management by: - Preserving the original budget while allowing modifications. - Providing clear visibility into budget changes over time. ### Enabling the Forecast Feature You can activate Forecast when creating a new budget or for an existing one. #### **For an Existing Budget** 1. Navigate to **Settings > Budget** to open the Budget page. **![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-nwc95ac6.png)** 2. Hover over the budget and click **Edit**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For1.png) 1. You can also enable it from the **Manage Budget** menu. Go to the **Manage Budget** menu and select **Edit Budget Details**. The Edit Budget Details drawer opens. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For2.png) 3. Enable the **Forecast** toggle. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For3.png) You can see the SMART CELL section where you can select the anchor that drives your budget calculations. Note that you cannot select Forecast as the anchor for existing budget. To learn more about Smart Cells for Forecast, click [here](/planful-for-marketing/docs/smart-cells-for-forecast). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/PFM2(3).png) 4. Click **Save & Close** to apply changes. #### **For a New Budget:** 1. Navigate to **Settings > Budget** to open the Budget page. **![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-nwc95ac6.png)** 2. Click Create Budget. The Create budget drawer appears. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For8.png) 3. Enter the required budget details and enable the **Forecast** toggle. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/PFM3(2).png) When the **Forecast** toggle is enabled during budget creation, a **SMART CELL** section appears. This section lets you select which column—**Total Budget** or **Forecast**—acts as the anchor for Available Budget and variance calculations. To learn more about Smart Cells for Forecast, click [here](/planful-for-marketing/docs/smart-cells-for-forecast). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-VK9HG56D.png) 4. Click **Save & Close.** Once enabled, the Forecast column appears on the **Plan Budget** page. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Initially, the Forecast value mirrors the Total Budget to save you time. For example, if the total budget is $50,000, the forecast will also be $50,000. However, this happens **only the first time**. Updating the forecast value later will change independently, while the **Total Budget** will remain unchanged. ### **Forecast and Smart Cells** The Forecast column behaves like a standard editable planning column unless it is selected as the Smart Cell anchor during budget creation. - **If Forecast is not the anchor:** The Forecast column follows the behaviour described above—values can be entered, updated, imported, and viewed across all pages, but Smart Cell functions (True-Up, Drag-and-Drop) do **not** apply to it. - **If Forecast is the anchor:** Smart Cell functionality is enabled for Forecast. True-Up and Drag-and-Drop reallocations update the Forecast column, and all Available Budget and variance calculations use Forecast instead of Total Budget. To learn more about Smart Cells for Forecast, click [here](/planful-for-marketing/docs/smart-cells-for-forecast). ## Where Will You See the Forecast The Forecast column appears in various areas within the application: ### Plan Budget Once enabled, the Forecast column for each month will be alongside the **Total Budget** column. - You can input monthly forecast **values** right next to the **Total Budget** column for the monthly budget. - Annual forecasts are automatically calculated and can't be edited manually. - The **Projected Budget** field will be replaced by Forecast once it is enabled. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For10(1).png) If Forecasting is disabled, the system reverts to using the **Projected Budget.** > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Disabling Forecast will permanently remove all previously entered forecast values. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For11(1).png) #### Managing the Forecast Column on the Plan Budget Page To hide the **Forecast** column temporarily, click **Hide Forecast.** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For7(2).png) At this point, only the **Total Budget** column will be visible. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For12.png) To show the Forecast column again, click **Show Forecast**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For6.png) ### Manage Page (Segments, Campaigns, and Expense Groups) The Forecast column is next to the Total Budget column for campaigns, expense groups, and segments on the Manage page. You can enter forecast amounts in the **Forecast** column. You can organize by Segment, Goal, and Campaign. - Quarterly and Annual forecasts are automatically calculated and can't be changed manually for a monthly budget. - Annual forecasts are automatically calculated and can't be changed manually for a quarterly budget. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > If the Forecast column is set as the **Smart Cell anchor**, users can perform **True-Up** and **Drag-and-Drop** reallocations directly in the Forecast cells. > > All available budget and variance calculations on the Manage Page will automatically adjust based on Forecast data. To learn more about Smart Cells for Forecast, click [here](/planful-for-marketing/docs/smart-cells-for-forecast). #### Managing the Forecast Column on the Manage Page The Forecast option appears in the **f(x) Customize Budget Calculation** menu once enabled and is selected by default. - To hide the Forecast column, click **f(x) Customize Budget Calculation,** uncheck the **Forecast** option, and click **Apply.** - To re-enable it, select the **Forecast** checkbox and then click **Apply**. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Hiding the Forecast column does not remove any values; it simply hides the column from view. ### Other Forecast-Enabled Areas on the Manage Page #### Drawer View (Campaigns and Expense Groups) The Forecast field appears next to the Budget field. - The **Forecast** currency matches the **Budget** currency and functionality, meaning it remains **non-editable** from this tab and can only be edited in the Allocations tab ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-1752774334382.png) - If the **Budget** field **currency** is updated, the **Forecast Currency** automatically updates to reflect the change. #### Allocations Tab (Campaigns and Expense Groups) The Forecast column appears beside the Total Budget column, so now you can compare the Forecast values against the total budget, actuals, and remaining amounts. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > When the **Forecast** anchor is selected in Smart Cell, all allocations and available budget calculations within the Drawer follow the Forecast-based formula. > > The Total Budget column remains visible for reference but does not impact calculations. To learn more about Smart Cells for Forecast, click [here](/planful-for-marketing/docs/smart-cells-for-forecast). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-1752774401006.png) #### Export From Manage Page The Forecast column is included in exports (**Actions** > **Export**) from the **Manage Page** for **Segments, Goals, and Campaigns** (monthly, quarterly, and yearly views). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-hffwjbbg.png) > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Forecast values must always be **positive**. ### Forecast Option on the Import / Export Option ##### Exporting Forecast Data The Forecast column is included when exporting data from the Reports (Baseline Reports) and Budget tab. ##### Importing Forecast Data - The Import functionality, including the Forecast column, is supported for **Campaigns and Expense Groups**. - **Budget imports** are supported, allowing updates to budget values along with Forecast data via **JSON file**. - When importing Campaigns or Expense Groups, Forecast values can be created or updated through the import file whenever Forecast is enabled for the budget. If both Budget and Forecast are zero, the imported Budget amount is also applied to Forecast unless a separate Forecast value is provided. ### How Forecast Prevents Unintended Budget Changes When an admin attempts to edit the Total Budget column (on both the Plan Budget and Manage Page) while Forecast is enabled, the system prompts them to modify the Forecast values instead. This safeguard helps maintain budget integrity by preventing unintended changes to the original budget while allowing flexible adjustments. Since Forecast changes do not overwrite the initial budget, you can track and compare planned budgets with revised projections over time, ensuring accurate financial planning without disrupting baseline allocations. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-03qbf5li.png) When you edit the Total Budget column, a prompt appears, and you will see the following choices: 1. **Edit**: Allows editing the total budget. 2. **Don't show this again:** Enables direct editing of the **Total Budget** column without future prompts but should be used with caution as it bypasses the Forecast safeguard. ### How to Disable Forecast Though you can temporarily turn the forecast option on or off, you can also permanently deactivate it. To turn off the Forecast option, do the following: 1. Navigate to **Settings > Budget** to open the Budget page. **![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-wv77odq9.png)** 2. Hover over the budget and click **Edit**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For1(1).png) 1. You can also enable it from the **Manage Budget** menu. Go to the **Manage Budget** menu and select **Edit Budget Details**. The **Planned Budget** pop-up appears. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For2(1).png) 3. Disable the **Forecast** toggle. The **Disable Forecast** pop-up appears. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/For14.png) 4. Enter the word **DISABLE** in the given field and click **Disable**. > [!NOTE] > Note > > Disabling Forecast will delete all forecast data. If you re-enable it, you’ll need to re-enter all data manually. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/april25-release-notes---pfm-image-8ywnvhcq.png) You will be back on the edit budget details drawer, and you can also see the Forecast toggle being disabled. 5. Click **Save & Close.** ### Limitations - If Forecast is disabled, you can later [enable](/planful-for-marketing/docs/forecast-for-budget-planning#_kcc121lbi3a3) it or perform an import, but any previously lost data cannot be recovered. ## Expanded Forecast Visibility Across Views You can see consistent and comprehensive forecast values across your marketing data, whether you work with Goals, Segment Groups, or Thematic Campaigns. This helps to understand the full impact of marketing spend, with clear and accurate Forecast and Annual Forecast values, no matter how your data is structured. The following are the areas where the Forecast visibility is noticeably seen: ### **Manage Page** #### **Full Forecast Roll-Ups Across All Views** The Forecast values are fully aggregated by **Month, Quarter, and Year** across all major objects—**Goals, Segment Groups**, and **Thematic Campaigns** —and across all **"Organize By" views** (Segment, Goal, Campaign) > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Thematic Campaigns display Forecast values inherited from their direct children only. This provides complete visibility into forecasted spend across the full marketing plan hierarchy, while maintaining the intended behavior of object types like Thematic Campaigns. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-cls6dk55.png) ### #### **Accurate Forecast Summation in Totals and Grand Total Rows** Now that the Forecast column is aggregated, monthly forecast values are automatically summed up ensuring accurate per-month forecast. In the **Totals column**, these monthly forecast values are fully aggregated —depending on the view—providing a single, consolidated forecast. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-mx9i9o0l.png) At the bottom of the table, the **Grand Total row** reflects the cumulative sum of all forecasted values across the entire visible plan. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-s1w7ayij.png) The **Forecast column** shows the **summation of its child objects, and** in the **Totals** section, the Forecast column shows the **summation of all monthly values** ### #### **Forecast for "Campaigns & Expense Groups" and "Unallocated" Rows** When you select **Campaigns & Expense Groups** and **Unallocated** rows from the **Customize Budget Calculation** option and click **Apply,** as shown below: **![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-h5hb773q.png)** The Forecast column displays roll-up values for these rows. #### **Example:** - If Segment **S1** has a Forecast of **500** and **S2** has **300**, their parent **Segment Group** will now show **800** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-F96ZD0YX.png) - For **S1**, the value is the summation of all its child objects ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-UCTRQJM4.png) - If S1’s Campaigns & Expense Groups row is **200** and S2’s is **150**, the top-level Campaigns & Expense Groups row now shows **350.** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-19TPDU1G.png) - The **Unallocated** is calculated as: **Segment Group Forecast (800)** − **Campaigns & Expense Groups Forecast (350)** = **Unallocated (450)** #### #### **Goal Drawer Forecast Roll-Up** The **Goal drawer view** on the Manage Page reflects the **roll-up Forecast values** of all campaigns and expense groups associated with that goal. For example, if goal **g1** has campaigns totalling a Forecast of **1,700.00** in January, the same aggregated value is now visible directly within the Goal drawer. Users get a clear and consistent roll-up at the goal level—**right inside the drawer**—ensuring transparency and alignment across both table and detail views. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-p2hclyf1.png) #### **Thematic Campaign Summation** Forecast values are rolled up and displayed at the Thematic Campaign level, based on the summation of their immediate child campaigns or expense groups. This provides clearer visibility into grouped marketing activities and enables easier tracking of Forecast totals at a higher level. > [!NOTE] > Note: > > Forecast summation includes **only direct children** of the Thematic Campaign. **Sub-children are not included** in the calculation. In this example, the **Thematic Campaign** shows a **Forecast value of 8,960.00**, which is the **sum of the Forecasts from its immediate child campaigns** (e.g., *t cc1*, *t cc2*, *t cc3*, *t cc4*, etc.). Notice that campaign **t cc1** includes an **expense group “fg”** with a Forecast of **50.00**. However, this **50.00** is not included in the Thematic Campaign’s total. This confirms that while **direct child campaigns** are included in the Forecast summation, and sub-child objects are excluded from the roll-up at the Thematic level. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-r8ljjkon.png) #### **Forecast in Chart View** Forecast data is now extended to the Chart view on the Manage Page for Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly views across all **Organize By** options — **Segment**, **Goal**, and **Campaign**, providing a visual comparison alongside Actual Spend and Available Budget. Previously, Forecast values were only available in the Table view. Note: The forecast must be enabled and should be a part of the Available Budget calculation. You can see the following visual indicators: - **Forecast** shown in **purple** - **Actual Spend** shown in **blue** - **Available Budget** indicated by a **dotted line** - **Over Budget** displayed as red text above each column (monthly view only) For example, in August, a 3K Forecast is shown along with 500 in available budget, providing a visual summary of plan projections. This improvement enables faster insights into projected marketing spend without switching views. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/image-1752773062789.png) ### **Budget Page** #### **Segment Group Forecast Rollup** The Segment Groups now display the forecast values from child segments and display the total in their parent segment group. The **Forecast column** on the **Budget Page** now supports **roll-up values** for **Segment Groups**. In the example below, **Group** displays a Forecast of **800.00** for January, which is the sum of its child segments **S1 (300.00)** and **S2 (500.00)**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/0921f66c-db36-4ecd-9931-7ca61d3c3bd6/Images/Documentation/pfm-port-image-asy5k7pm.png)