Move Assumptions tool

Move Assumptions
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6 years ago
#1
James Wallace A+ 8
Move Assumptions tool

Hi all,

I see a recent software update included "addition of Move Assumptions tool".

What does this tool do and is it available for use yet?

Thanks.

6 years ago
Michael Hutchens A+ 189

Wow - that was quick... We haven't actually created help document for this tool yet James!

The Move Assumptions tool allows you to move assumptions on time series sheets left or right by a specified number of columns instead of rolling forward or extending your model. It's not something I'd ever recommend doing it, but we're finding that some models are getting so big (particularly monthly planning models) that there's a preference to moving assumptions rather than adding periods and size.

So, here's a simple example... Let's assume that you wanted to change the first year in an annual forecast-only model from 2016 to 2017, as shown below:

The issue with changing only the time series assumptions is that all the forecast assumptions will be 1 year off - e.g. the $4,242.9 Product Launches revenue assumption will still be in column K after column J becomes 2017. So, to get around this, you can use the Move Assumptions tool as shown below:

In this example, I'm moving all the assumptions left 1 year (i.e. offsetting them -1 columns) so that the 2017 assumptions will move to column J, etc.

After doing this, and changing the First Financial Year in the model from 2016 to 2017, the model will be moved forward, as shown below:

Again, I would never recommend doing this instead of actually extending or rolling your model forward, but in some cases it may be your best option.
6 years ago
James Wallace A+ 8

Great. A useful feature for the odd occasion it is needed.

I just found the Move Assumptions tool under the Build tab -> Time Series button under Content. 

Thanks!