FAQ

What are forecast scenarios and assumptions?

A forecast scenario is a forecast you’ve duplicated, which is a safe place to experiment. It’s made up of your accounting figures and your business data, with assumptions over both, and anything you change inside it applies only to that forecast, so your core data stays as it is. An assumption is a change you make within a forecast, such as a new figure on an item, a percentage increase or a cost that only lands in certain months.

How do I upload files to sherloc?

You can upload files by using the navigation on the left to select ‘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.

How can I add or change business data in my forecast?

Each forecast holds its own copy of your business data, taken at the point you created or duplicated it. A change you make in one forecast applies only to that forecast, so if you want the same change in another forecast, make it there too. You can correct something already there, such as a salary on the Staff tab, or add new detail, such as splitting one bulk entry into named people.

How do I map my data?

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.

What mode does Xero use to connect to sherloc?

sherloc connects data in ‘Cash Basis’ mode from your Xero account.

What is business data?

Business data is the detail that sits alongside your accounts: your staff, revenue, cost of sales, operating expenses and capital and funding. You’ll find it under ‘My Data’, on the ‘Business Data’ tab. Adding your own detail to sherloc helps make forecasting more impactful.

How do I change a figure that an assumption has set?

Change the assumption itself. Lines with an assumption on them show a blue dot beside the line’s name. Choose ‘Accounts & Assumption Details’ to see the Assumption row beneath the line, then select Edit to change it.

Some of my numbers have been carried forward, but some are set to 0. Why?

Where there’s no assumption on an item, sherloc repeats your last closed month in every month ahead, so check that last month looks typical for that item. Cash at bank and current year earnings are the exception: they’re calculated in every month ahead rather than repeated. If a figure shows 0 and you didn’t expect it, check what your last closed month held for that item.

How do I cancel my sherloc account?

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