The Planning Module enables users to manage forecasting and budgeting periods dynamically. It allows you to define which columns represent actuals vs. forecast months, set a default formula that is automatically applied to actuals periods, and seamlessly roll forward when the scenario cycle advances.

This guide explains how to configure Planning Mode and use the Roll Forward option from the forecast module to update financial models efficiently.

What's New in the Office JS Add-In

In the legacy COM add-in, Planning Mode was embedded inside the Dynamic Range dialog - you could only create a Planning Mode if you had an existing Dynamic Range. In the Office JS add-in, the Planning Module is a standalone feature:

• Standalone Planning Module - You can create a Planning Module on any formula range, without needing a Dynamic Range.
• Linked Planning Module - You can still link a Planning Module to a Dynamic Range, which works similarly to the legacy behavior.
• Separate UI section - Planning Module has its own section in the Datarails task pane, separate from Dynamic Ranges.

Overview

A Planning Module defines:

1. 12 month columns - You map each of the 12 months in your forecast/budget model to specific Excel columns. The months don't need to be consecutive - you can have total or comparison columns between them.
2. A default formula - A formula template (typically a DR.GET formula) that is automatically inserted into actuals columns.
3. An application mode - Whether the formula applies to actuals only, all 12 months, or only newly designated actuals months.

When a scenario rolls forward (e.g., from 3+9 to 6+6), the default formula is automatically applied according to the selected application mode.

Prerequisites

Before setting up a Planning Module:

1. Your Excel file must be connected to a Datarails Filebox with Scenario = Forecast or Budget.
2. Your report must have columns for at least 12 months (actuals + forecast periods).
3. If linking to a Dynamic Range, the Dynamic Range must already be created with a formula range.
4. The formula range must start at row 2 or higher.
5. The number of periods (months) must exactly match the number of columns in the formula range.

Note: Budget scenarios behave like 0+12 forecasts - all 12 months are projection months.

Creating a Standalone Planning Module

Step 1: Open the Planning Module Section

1. Open the Datarails task pane.
2. Navigate to the Management → Advanced → Planning Module section.
3. Click New Planning Module.

Step 2: Define the Name and Formula Range

1. Enter a descriptive name and click Save.
2. Select the formula range — you have two options:

• Set range — Select a formula range directly in your worksheet. This creates a standalone Planning Module that is independent of any Dynamic Range.
• From existing range — Choose a formula range from an existing Dynamic Range. This creates a linked Planning Module that shares its formula range with the selected Dynamic Range (see Creating a Planning Module Linked to a Dynamic Range below).

3. The range must have at least 12 columns to accommodate all forecast/budget months.

Step 3: Map the 12 Months

1. In the month assignment modal, assign an Excel column to each of the 12 months.
2. For example, if Excel column F is the first month in the Actuals & Forecast area, assign it accordingly.

Important Notes:

• All 12 months must be mapped, regardless of the actuals/forecast split.
• Months do not need to be in consecutive columns - you can skip total or summary columns.
• You cannot assign the same column to two different months.
• Forecast models follow an Actuals + Forecast structure (e.g., 3+9 means 3 months of actuals and 9 months of forecast).

Step 4: Set the Default Formula

After mapping the months, define the default formula that will be inserted into actuals columns.

What is the default formula?

The default formula is the formula that should appear in every "actuals" month cell. Typically, this is a DR.GET formula that pulls actual values from Datarails. When a scenario rolls forward and new months become actuals, this formula is automatically applied.

How to write it:

• Write the formula as it would appear in the first row of the first month column.
• Example: If the first month is in column F and data starts at row 8, write the formula as it would appear in cell F8.
• Use absolute references ($A$1, $A1, A$1) where needed to prevent shifting.
• Only $ and [ ] are allowed as special characters in the formula.

Step 5: Choose the Application Mode

Select how the formula should be applied:

Step 6: Save

1. Click Apply to save the configuration.
2. The Planning Module is now active and will manage formula application on roll-forward.

Creating a Planning Module Linked to a Dynamic Range

To link a Planning Module to an existing Dynamic Range, choose From existing range in Step 2 above and select the Dynamic Range. The Dynamic Range must have a formula range, and the file must be connected to a Forecast or Budget filebox. The rest of the setup (Steps 3–6) is the same.

Managing Planning Modules

Open the Planning Module section in the task pane to see all Planning Modules in the workbook. You can:

• Edit - Modify the formula range, month mappings, the default formula, or the application mode.
• Duplicate - Create a copy of an existing Planning Module. The duplicate copies the full configuration - month mappings, default formula, and application mode - into a new Planning Module with a default name. You can then edit the duplicated module to select its formula range or modify any settings as needed. This is useful when you need multiple similar Planning Modules with slight variations. Note: Duplicate is available for standalone Planning Modules only - Planning Modules linked to a Dynamic Range cannot be duplicated.
• Delete - Remove the Planning Module. If it is a standalone module, this does not affect any Dynamic Range. If it is linked to a Dynamic Range, the link is removed but the Dynamic Range itself remains.
• View details - See the current configuration, including which columns are mapped to which months.

Submitting and Rolling Forward

Submitting the File

After configuring a Planning Module, submit the file to save your changes to Datarails.

Rolling Forward the Forecast

1. Navigate to the Forecast Module on the Datarails web application.
2. Select the scenario to roll forward (e.g., from 3+9 to 6+6).
3. Click Roll Forward and wait for the update to complete.
4. Download the rolled-forward file.

What happens after roll-forward:

• The default formula is automatically applied according to the selected application mode.
• The financial model structure is preserved.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Users must have only one add-in installed - either COM or Office JS. Having both installed simultaneously causes unexpected issues.

During migration, workbooks may be opened by users on different platforms:

• A Planning Module can only be edited or deleted from the platform that created it.
• COM-created Planning Modes appear as read-only in Office JS - edit and delete are disabled, with a tooltip explaining why.
• Office JS standalone Planning Modules (those not linked to a Dynamic Range) are not visible in the COM add-in, since the COM add-in has no concept of standalone Planning Modules.
• Deleting a Dynamic Range in the COM add-in will also delete any linked Planning Mode. In Office JS, deleting a Dynamic Range that has a linked Planning Module will separate the Planning Module, which becomes a standalone Planning Module. Standalone Planning Modules are not affected by Dynamic Range deletion.

Tips & Best Practices

• Test your default formula - Before setting it in the Planning Module, paste it into the first actuals cell and verify it returns correct data.
• Submit before rolling forward - Always submit the file to Datarails before initiating a roll-forward from the web application.
   

Updated August 27, 2026 14:47