FAQ

Q: What is the difference between top-down and  bottom-up forecasting?
A: Top-down forecasting starts with a broad, high-level estimate. It’s useful when strategic goals or market data drive the forecast.

Bottom-up forecasting, on the other hand, builds the forecast from the ground up. It starts with business data—like individual sales forecasts or staffing costs—and then aggregates that data to produce a company-wide forecast. It’s more granular and often more accurate when detailed internal data is available.

Q: How do I upload files to sherloc?
A: You can upload files by using the navigation on the left to select ‘Performance’ and then ‘My Data’. Select ‘Microsoft Excel’ and click in the upload box to select your file and ‘continue’. During the upload process you might be asked to map your data; use the drop-down menu to select a term from your financial data that matches the term sherloc is looking for. To upload your business data, select the ‘business data’ tab from the ‘My Data’ page and select your file. 

Q:How can I add business data to my forecast?
A: The link from the forecast to business data is made during the creation of the forecast. Business data needs to be uploaded before the forecast is created. To use different business data in your forecast you will need to create a new forecast. 

Q: How do I map my data?
A: The terms you use for your line items might differ from the terms that sherloc is looking for and during the forecast process you might be asked to map your data. Use our drop-down menu to match your line items with the term sherloc is looking for. 

Q: What mode does Xero use to connect to sherloc?
A: sherloc connects data in ‘Cash Basis’ mode from your Xero account.

Q: What is 'business data'?
A: Business data is any kind of forecasts or projections that you have prepared that you can input into sherloc to take advantage of our 'bottom-up' forecasting. Examples of business data that you might have are business plans, sales targets, staff costs, or budgets. Adding your own insights to sherloc will help make forecasting more impactful. 

Q: Why can’t I manually edit the cells in my assumption?
A: You can only edit the source data in assumptions. If you have created a ‘top-down’ assumption, you can directly edit the cells of the added assumption. 
If you have created a ‘bottom up’ assumption, you will need to edit the business data that is linked to the assumption.

Q: In my forecast, some of my numbers have been carried forward, but some are set to 0.
A: When creating a forecast, sherloc will copy the last cell and paste it for the duration of the forecast. If that cell contains a formula, please check the source data for that formula to ensure your forecast is accurate. 

Q: How do I cancel my sherloc account?
A: To cancel your sherloc account, click on your name and company name and select 'billing'. Select 'cancel subscription' to cancel your subscription. You will have access to sherloc until your renewal date, at which point you will lose access to sherloc. If you have any issues please contact support@sherloc.co.uk