So you’ve got data in Forecastpro and need to get it out in a way that actually makes sense for your team, your boss, or just your own brain. The built-in reports are fine—if you like generic, black-box templates. But if you want something tailored, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and build a custom report yourself.
This guide is for anyone who wants to pull more useful, specific reports out of Forecastpro. Maybe you’re a supply chain analyst, an ops manager, or just the only person in the building who knows how to click around in this thing. Either way, you want results, not a sales pitch. Let’s get into it.
What Counts as a “Custom Report” in Forecastpro?
First, let’s cut through the marketing speak. A “custom report” in Forecastpro is just a way to export, display, or print the exact forecasting data you care about—nothing more, nothing less. It could be something as simple as monthly sales forecasts by product, or as complex as exception-based summaries with statistical diagnostics. The point is, you’re not stuck with what Forecastpro thinks you want.
Here’s how to make one from scratch.
Step 1: Get Your Data (and Scope) Sorted
Before you even open Forecastpro, nail down what you actually need. Ask yourself:
- What questions does this report need to answer? (e.g., “How accurate are our forecasts by region?”)
- Who’s going to read it? (C-suite, planners, finance folks?)
- How often do you need it? (One-off, monthly, weekly?)
Pro tip: Don’t try to cram every metric onto one page. The best reports are focused, not Frankenstein monsters.
Now, open your Forecastpro project and make sure you’re looking at the right data set. You can’t build a good report on the wrong numbers.
Step 2: Choose Your Report Type
Forecastpro offers a few main ways to get at your data:
- Standard reports: Quick, but not very flexible.
- Custom reports: Built from scratch, highly flexible.
- Export to Excel or CSV: For full control (and if you want to do your own formatting).
For anything beyond the basics, go for a custom report.
How to get there:
In the Forecastpro menu, look for “Reports” → “Custom Reports” or “Report Designer” (name varies by version).
Step 3: Pick Your Data Fields
You’ll see a list of available fields: actuals, forecasts, errors, statistical details, and maybe user-defined fields. This part is easy to overthink.
- Start with the essentials: Actuals, forecast, error (MAPE, MAD), and maybe item/region names.
- Skip what you’ll ignore: Don’t add every field just because it’s there; you’ll just overwhelm everyone.
Common fields to include: - Item/Product name - Time period (month, quarter, etc.) - Forecast value - Actual value - Forecast error (MAPE, MAD, or whatever your org uses) - Comments or overrides (if you’re tracking them)
You can always add more later. It’s easier to expand than to untangle a bloated report.
Step 4: Define Layout and Grouping
This is where most people get tripped up. Custom reports in Forecastpro are basically tables, but you can group by different dimensions—product, region, time, etc.
- Rows: Usually your items (products, SKUs, customers)
- Columns: Time periods, actuals, forecasts, errors, etc.
- Groups: If you want subtotals by product family, region, salesperson, etc.
Tips: - Don’t nest groups too deep. Two levels (e.g., region > product) is usually plenty. - If your report looks like a maze, it probably is. Simplify.
Watch out:
If you group on a field with hundreds of unique values (like SKU), your report will be unreadable and slow. Group higher up—by product category or region—when possible.
Step 5: Filter Your Data
Unless you want a 1,000-page report, use filters.
- Filter by time period: Only show the months or quarters you care about.
- Filter by product or region: Show just the lines, SKUs, or geographies that matter.
- Filter by exception: Show only items with high forecast errors or negative trends.
How to do it:
Most custom report designers in Forecastpro have a “Filter” or “Criteria” tab. Set your conditions here.
Example:
Show only items where MAPE > 20% in the last 6 months.
Step 6: Tweak Formatting and Calculations
Formatting isn’t just about making things pretty—it’s about making them readable.
- Decimal places: Don’t show six decimals if you only need two.
- Currency and units: Make sure it’s clear (dollars, units, etc.).
- Highlighting: Some versions let you highlight exceptions or use conditional formatting.
Custom calculations:
Forecastpro lets you add calculated fields (like percent error, or year-over-year change). Use these if they help—but keep it simple.
Don’t bother:
If you’re exporting to Excel anyway, don’t waste time wrestling with colors and bold fonts here. Do it in Excel where you have more control.
Step 7: Preview and Test
Always preview your report before running it for the whole data set. Check for:
- Obvious mistakes (wrong fields, missing data)
- Clarity (can someone else understand it at a glance?)
- Performance (if it takes forever to run, it’s too big)
Pro tip:
Send a sample to a colleague who’ll actually use it. If they’re confused, fix it now.
Step 8: Save and Schedule (If Needed)
Once you’re happy, save your report settings. Most versions of Forecastpro let you save custom report templates, so you don’t have to rebuild it every time.
If you need this report regularly, check if your version supports scheduling exports or automated emails. If not, set yourself a recurring reminder. Don’t rely on your memory.
Step 9: Export or Share
You’ve got options:
- Export to Excel or CSV: For further analysis or to send around. This is usually the safest bet—everyone can open a spreadsheet.
- PDF: If formatting (or locking down edits) matters.
- Directly in Forecastpro: Less common, unless your whole team is in the tool.
Got a lot of data?
Break it up. No one wants a monster file that crashes Excel or takes 10 minutes to open.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
What works: - Keeping your reports focused and simple - Using filters to zero in on what matters - Saving templates so you’re not reinventing the wheel
What doesn’t: - Trying to make Forecastpro do all your formatting—export and finish in Excel if you need fancy layouts - Building one report for everyone (you’ll just frustrate all of them) - Ignoring feedback—users will tell you if your report is confusing or useless
Ignore: - Any feature that promises “AI-powered insights” but just spits out generic suggestions. Stick to what you know works.
Quick Troubleshooting
- Report won’t run or is super slow: You’re probably pulling too much data at once. Filter or group at a higher level.
- Numbers look off: Check your data set and filters—are you accidentally doubling up or missing data?
- People complain it’s too complex: Cut fields, simplify groups, and ask them what they actually use.
Keep It Simple—Iterate as Needed
Don’t overengineer your first custom report. Build something basic, get feedback, and tweak it. The real power in Forecastpro comes from understanding what your users need—not from showing off every bell and whistle.
Start small, keep it readable, and remember: the best report is the one people actually use. If you can do that, you’re already ahead of the game.