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Creating Plans Using Excel Templates

A plan, such as a budget or forecast, can also be created using an Excel template and then imported into the Planning Module.

This offers several advantages:

  • Quickly entering amounts, for example by dragging values across 12 months.

  • Using Excel formulas.

  • Linking to existing budgeting models.

Note: Working with templates requires careful attention. Errors in the Excel file or incorrect mappings can lead to incorrect results in Factview.

Downloading Template Files

The templates are available via:

Imports → Import Templates

Two template types are available:

  • Planning Template (General)

  • Planning Template (Monthly Model)

Planning Template (General)

This template:

  • Contains multiple worksheets, similar to the Planning Module.

  • Uses a separate worksheet for each planning item type.

  • Is suitable for comprehensive and detailed planning.

Advantages:

  • Highly flexible.

  • Suitable for complex planning models.

  • Can also be used for weekly or daily planning.

Planning Template (Monthly Model)

Planning Template (Monthly Model)

This template:

  • Uses a single input worksheet.

  • Is organized into blocks of 30 rows.

  • Displays multiple years side by side.

Advantages:

  • Quick setup of multi-year plans.

  • Requires less manual data entry.

  • Many settings are configured automatically.

Important: Master Data and General Ledger Accounts

A plan uses the master data from the selected Import Set, including:

  • General Ledger Accounts

  • Cost Centers

  • Dimensions

If a template contains new or unknown accounts:

  • They will appear in the Planning Module.

  • However, they will not be included in the calculations.

This results in incomplete reports.

Adding New Master DataVoeg nieuwe First, add the new General Ledger Accounts in the Reporting Module:

  1. Navigate to Data → Manage and Organize → General Ledger Accounts.

  2. Add the account number and account name.

  3. Select the account type (Balance Sheet or Profit and Loss Statement).

Then:

  1. Navigate to Planning Module → Settings → Master Data.

  2. Click Synchronize Master Data.

The new master data is now available in the Planning Module.

Importing a Template File

A completed template file is imported through the Reporting Module:

  1. Make sure a plan has been created.

  2. Navigate to Main Menu → Files.

  3. Drag and drop the template file into the import area.

  4. Select the correct plan.

  5. Open the Imports section in the Planning Module.

After the import, the planning items are added automatically.

Preventing Duplicate Entries

If the same template is imported again:

  • The template file is imported again.

  • All associated planning items are added again.

This may result in duplicate figures.

Solution​

To prevent duplicate planning items:

  • Remove the old version of the template file.

  • Ensure that only one version of the template remains active.

Summary

Working with planning templates consists of:

  • Downloading the appropriate template.

  • Entering planning data in Excel.

  • Verifying the master data (General Ledger Accounts).

  • Importing the template into Factview.

  • Managing imported templates to prevent duplicate entries.

Templates provide a flexible way to create plans, but they should be used carefully to ensure accurate results.