Generating forecasts for the current contextual data of a worksheet

You can generate a forecast for the current contextual data of a worksheet, by directly calling a forecast engine. To enable this functionality:

  • You must select a standard worksheet, with the report source of the type Repository and the report type is D_ForecastGraph or T_AdvancedPivotEditor. Alternately, the report source of the worksheet must be of the type Embedded and the report type = pivot_editor.
  • You must specify the rv_forecast_settings data parameter for the worksheet. The parameter is used to specify the engine and settings that must be used. For example,
    <Table><Row name="default"><Property name="engine" value="Best Fit" />
    <Property name="itemlevel" value="SKUs" /><Property name="locationlevel" 
    value="Locations" /><Property name="periodlevel" value="Weeks" /></Row></Table>

To generate forecasts using a worksheet:

  1. Select Cycle or Module > Worksheet.
  2. When the rv_forecast_settings parameter is defined, these options are displayed on the worksheet toolbar:
    Fit Forecast using default engine
    The Job Manager window is displayed, which is used to ensure faster processing and update of the worksheet data.

    See, Overview of the Fit Forecast with default engine option.

    Fit Forecast with options
    Calls the forecast engine directly (using the rv_forecast_settings parameter values and the selected forecast engine settings). The existing Generate Forecast and Job Manager windows are displayed respectively, and the worksheet data is updated.

    See, Overview of Fit Forecast with options.

  3. In the Forecast Engine window, specify this information:
    Fit at Default item and location level
    If this check box is selected, the forecasts are generated at the default item and location level in the specified forecast engine, for the selected elements. If cleared, the forecast is only generated for the item and location, at the current worksheet level. For example, a single forecast for a selected item and location group. If you select the Fit forecast option the Generate Forecast dialog box is displayed.
    Note: To clear this check box you must be assigned the required permissions.
    Forecast Engine
    Select the forecast engine.
    Context
    Based on the selected forecast engines, the data context fields (read-only) that are passed to the engine are displayed. The Spread measure, algorithm, and period level data are based on the selected forecast engine settings.
  4. Click OK. The exceptions that are generated during the forecast process are displayed in a dialog box.