Guides

The Forecasting Editor

A reference for the forecasting editor — time scales, the heat map, editing periods, forecast-to-complete, locked periods, syncing actuals, grouping, and export.

The forecasting editor is where you shape a forecast in detail. This page is a reference to its main tools — for the basic create flow, see Creating a forecast.

Layout

  • Line items down the left — each a budget line or SOV item.
  • Periods across — the monthly amounts, optionally shown weekly or quarterly.
  • Toolbar — time scale, grouping, column visibility, density, export, and forecast actions (save, activate, sync).

Time scale

Toggle between Monthly, Quarterly, and Weekly. This changes how periods are displayed and totalled; the stored data is always monthly, so switching scales never alters your numbers.

The heat map

Period cells are shaded by value, so heavier months stand out. It's a fast way to sense-check the shape of a line item or the whole forecast against how the work should actually flow.

Editing periods

Expand a line item to work month by month:

  • Direct edit — type a new amount into any open month. It's flagged as a manual override and kept even if you later recalculate.
  • Spread balance — distribute the unallocated remainder across open months so the line ties back to its forecast-to-complete.
  • Reshape by dates / curve — changing the line's dates or curve recalculates its periods.

Locked periods

Some months can't be edited:

  • Actuals — months with real costs/billings synced from Procore (see below).
  • Closed billing periods — months Procore has closed.

Locked months show what really happened; the forecast fills the open months around them.

Forecast-to-Complete (FTC)

Each line item forecasts the money still to come. Open the FTC editor to choose how it's calculated — automatic (budget − actuals), manual, lump sum, or monitored resources. See Key concepts → FTC for what each mode means.

Syncing actuals

Pull real numbers back from Procore — direct costs (for cost forecasts) or payment applications (for revenue). Synced actuals replace the forecast in the months they cover, lock those months, and reduce the remaining forecast-to-complete. This keeps the forecast honest: past = actual, future = plan.

Grouping, filtering, and density

  • Group line items by cost code or category, and collapse/expand groups.
  • Search / filter to find lines fast.
  • Column visibility to show only the fields you care about.
  • Density toggle (condensed / sparse) for big forecasts.
  • Multi-select lines for bulk operations.

Export

Export the forecast to Excel or PDF from the toolbar for reporting or sharing.

FAQ

Why can't I edit some months?

Those months are locked because they hold actuals synced from Procore or fall in a closed billing period. Locked months reflect what really happened and can't be forecast over.

What does "spread balance" do?

It distributes the remaining (unallocated) amount across the open months proportionally, so the line's periods add back up to its forecast-to-complete.

How do I see weekly instead of monthly?

Use the time-scale toggle (Monthly / Quarterly / Weekly). It changes how periods are displayed and rolled up; the underlying monthly data is unchanged.

What's the heat map for?

It shades each period cell by value so you can see at a glance where the money concentrates across the timeline.