Create a Sales Forecast

Topic at a glance

You collect and analyze sales figures not just to see how you’re doing, but in the hope of predicting future results. What are the trends in your recent sales, and how can you expect them to affect future sales?

With Microsoft Excel forecasting functions, you can apply sophisticated statistical analysis techniques to your data. And you don’t have to be a statistician or study involved mathematics to create realistic sales projections. You can also use these techniques to project expenses, inventory requirements, stock prices, and other business trends.