Excel or CSV (Comma Separated Values) files are frequently used for managing Forecast Pro Data input files. You can make and forecast multiple spreadsheet files in one project if you wish.
PROS. If you are comfortable using a spreadsheet, then the spreadsheet format allows you to create, update and manipulate your data in a familiar environment. Processing time for xls files is faster than for ODBC. Creating forecast reports from Excel is straightforward.
CONS. If someone has an xlsx file open in Excel, you cannot read it into Forecast Pro. Processing time for xlsx files can be slow (xls is faster and csv is faster still).