> 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/user-guide/6-forecasts-rolling-forecasts-and-statistical-forecasts/6-1-create-forecasts-using-formulas-existing-measures-or-data-input.md). # 6.1 - Create forecasts using different methods This tutorial explains the steps to create forecast measures using the different methods available in the planning sheet. 1. To begin, navigate to the **Model** ribbon.

2. Select **Forecast**.

3. Edit the name of the forecast measure.

4. To edit the forecast period, select the calendar icon and then select the open period range using the calendar. Consider *Jan 2026 - Dec 2026* in this example.

### Forecast using existing measure 1. Configure the closed period values by using either a *measure* or a *formula*. Choose **Measure** for this example.

2. Next, choose the required measure from the **Linked Measure** dropdown. *Revenue* measure is chosen here.

3. Similarly, you can configure the open period values using a *measure*, a *formula*, or *data input*. Choose **Measure**.

4. Next, select the required measure from the **Linked Measure** dropdown. In this case, the previous year's revenue values, *PY Revenue* is chosen.

### Forecast using formula 1. To configure open period values using a formula, you can choose **Formula** option instead of **Measure**.

2. Enter the formula to derive open-period values. You can reference existing measures in the formula. In this example, the open-period values are configured to be 12% higher than the previous year's values for the corresponding period.

3. Select **Create**.

4. Select **Save** in the next step.

5. The forecast is now configured. Closed period columns are greyed out, as seen for *2025* values below.

### Forecast using data input To create a forecast that allows data input, follow these steps: 1. Choose the **Data Input** option from the **Open Period** dropdown.

2. Use the **Default Value** dropdown to choose between different types of default values. You can choose between a *static* value, a *measure*, a *formula*, or *none*.

3. Select **None** to create blank data input columns without any default values.

4. Choose **Static** to enter a set value at the leaf (lowest) level of your hierarchy. In this example, *15 million* is entered as the default value.

5. Choose **Measure** to add default values that dynamically refer to an existing measure (*PY Revenue* is used in the example below).

6. Choose **Formula** to enter formulas that reference existing measures and functions. In this example, the default revenue forecast value is set to 12% higher than the revenue values from the previous year for the same time period (*PY Revenue*).

7. You can select **Add Breakdown** to enable multi-dimension allocation as needed.

8. Select **Create**.

9. Select **Save** in the next step. For more information about this window, see Open period configuration using source data.

10. You can now edit the forecast data input value by selecting the desired cell and entering the value in the formula bar.

#### Open period configuration using source data For forecast columns that require data input, you can configure open period values by sourcing them from existing data. 1. To begin, set up the target period by choosing any subset of your open period. For example, you can select the first quarter of 2026.

2. Use the **Copy Source** dropdown to copy values from a specific source. You can choose to import values from a file, or select an existing measure. *Revenue* measure is chosen in this example.

3. Select **Apply Operation** to choose whether to copy values from a period range, a single period, or the average of a period range. In this example, the open period *Jan 2026 - Dec 2026* is split into quarters to demonstrate each method.

4. Choose **Period range** if you want to copy values directly from the source period. Select the source period by using the calendar icon. As shown here, you can also select values from closed periods.

5. Select **+ Add Range** to add another period range.

6. Set up the target period, source to copy, and source period as discussed earlier for this period range, *Apr 2026 - Jun 2026*.

7. For this range, select **Single Period** to copy values from a single source period.

8. For the **Single Period** option, you can only select a single period (a single month in this example).

9. The **Average of Period Range** option allows you to copy the average of the values from the source range to all cells in the target period. This operation is chosen for the period range *Jul 2026 - Sep 2026*.

10. You can also choose the **None** option to insert blank cells instead of copying values from a source. This option is chosen for the period range *Oct 2026 - Dec 2026*.

11. Select **Save** to save changes.

12. The forecast values with the configured period customizations are now inserted. Since this forecast is a data input column, you can select the cells and edit their values.

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