> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/documentation/plan/planning-sheets/how-tos/forecast-data-to-predict-future-trends/allocate-deficits-to-meet-targets.md).
# Allocate deficits to meet targets
After a forecast is defined, actuals may fall below the forecast. The shortfall between the forecasted and actual values is called the deficit.
If the forecast represents a committed target (quarter/year), a shortfall in early periods needs to be recovered later to still meet the target total.
* Without distribution, the total forecast drifts downward unless someone manually adjusts later periods.
* With distribution, Plan shifts the shortfall to remaining periods so the overall target remains consistent.
### Distribute deficits
1. Select a forecast cell, then select **Distribute Deficit**.
{% hint style="info" %}
Distribute a deficit to the total cell to adjust the overall total, or distribute it to child cells to spread the adjustment across lower-level forecasts.
{% endhint %}
2. Select the measure to compare the forecast against. The deficit is automatically calculated and displayed.
3. If you have multiple forecast measures in your report, select the forecast measure to distribute the deficit.
4. Select the calendar icon, then select the periods to distribute the deficit across.
5. Select the **Distribution Method**: distribute the deficit equally or by the weights of the forecast.
6. Select **Run** to distribute the deficit across the selected periods.
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