In addition to entering forecast modifiers interactively on the Forecasting tab, Forecast Pro allows you to import modifiers from other Forecast Pro projects, from Excel spreadsheets and from databases using ODBC.

Importing modifiers from Excel requires that you set up the spreadsheet in a specific format. The sample file shown below is installed into the Forecast Pro input directory and is named 123 Bakery – Modifiers.xlsx.

The first columns (A through D in our example) define the attributes and name of the item (i.e., the hierarchy information). The next column defines the modifier(s) to import.

If you will be using a table or query to hold the modifier fields, you’ll want to examine the Modifiers table in the file 123 Bakery – ODBC.mdb.

Notice that the attribute fields are present. Modifier is a text field containing the modifier(s) you wish to apply.

Formatting rules

In a spreadsheet, a header row is required. The Modifier field must be present and labeled accordingly.

The modifiers can be assigned at any level.

Multiple modifiers can be assigned in a single cell or data field.

If an item has no modifiers, it does not need to be included in the spreadsheet, table or query.