[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Financial forecasting is as popular as ever, but the tools have certainly improved. If you\u2019ve ever had to spend time on linear regressions<\/a>, you\u2019ll be happy to meet the Google Sheets FORECAST function. The function will take your historical data and return the predicted future value, so you can use it to analyze trends in your financial data. If your data shows exponential growth, you may want to consider using the GROWTH formula instead.<\/p>\n In this article, you will learn about the FORECAST function and some similar functions available in Google Sheets. You will also learn how to use the formula to extrapolate future sales and expenses values based on historical data.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”google-sheets-forecast-function” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The FORECAST function can be used to calculate future y-values, based on known x- and y-values. Linear regression is used to find the best fit for existing data and calculate future values based on this relationship. You can get the same results using TREND, which is an array formula.<\/p>\n You may have noticed that there is a FORECAST.LINEAR formula in Google Sheets. Using this will get you the same results as using FORECAST or TREND, as they all use the least squares method to find the best fit.<\/p>\n The syntax for the FORECAST function is the following:<\/p>\n =FORECAST(x, data_y, data_x)<\/strong><\/p>\n There are some important points to keep in mind when using the FORECAST formula:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_id=”use-forecast-to-calculate-projected-valu” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n First, you\u2019ll see a practical example of FORECAST to calculate the projected value for sales in a given year based on data from previous years. Second, you\u2019ll learn how to apply this formula for projected expenses for a quarter based on the previous three.<\/p>\n Since FORECAST is not an array formula, this will require an extra step.<\/p>\n In this example, FORECAST is used to predict the value for 2022, based on the known sales values for the years 2016 to 2021. Each column should contain data corresponding to the year value and the sales.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> In Google Sheets, click on the cell where you want the projected sales value to appear.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forecast-sheets-sales-historical-data.webp” alt=”Forecast sheets \u2014 Year and Sales columns for 2016 to 2021 with cell B8 selected next to 2022″ title_text=”Year and Sales columns for 2016 to 2021 with cell B8 selected next to 2022″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Type in the FORECAST formula as shown below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forecast-sheets-forecast-formula-typed.webp” alt=”Forecast sheets \u2014 =FORECAST( typed in cell B8 with the x, data_y, data_x hint” title_text=”=FORECAST( typed in cell B8 with the x, data_y, data_x hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Select the value of x for which you want the predicted value. Add a comma to move to the following argument.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forecast-sheets-new-x-value.webp” alt=”Forecast sheets \u2014 =FORECAST(A8 with cell A8, the year 2022, picked as x” title_text=”=FORECAST(A8 with cell A8, the year 2022, picked as x” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> Select the cells containing data_y, the known values for the dependent variable. Then include all the cell values from sales. Add a comma to move to the last argument in the formula.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-sheets-forecast-known-y-values.webp” alt=”Google Sheets forecast \u2014 =FORECAST(A8,B2:B7, with the sales values in B2:B7 selected” title_text=”=FORECAST(A8,B2:B7, with the sales values in B2:B7 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Select the cells containing data_x, the known values for the independent variable. Here, cell values correspond to the year. Close the parenthesis and press \u201cEnter\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-sheets-forecast-known-x-values.webp” alt=”Google Sheets forecast \u2014 =FORECAST(A8,B2:B7,A2:A7) with the years in A2:A7 selected” title_text=”=FORECAST(A8,B2:B7,A2:A7) with the years in A2:A7 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. The projected value for your chosen year should appear as shown below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-sheets-forecast-projected-sales.webp” alt=”Google Sheets forecast \u2014 projected 2022 sales of $300,180.00 in cell B8″ title_text=”Projected 2022 sales of $300,180.00 in cell B8″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Now, you\u2019ll learn how to use FORECAST and ARRAYFORMULA<\/a> to get the projected expenses for the next three months, based on the known values for the last nine months.<\/p>\n 1.<\/strong> Open the historical data you want to use in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forecast-sheets-expenses-historical-data.webp” alt=”Forecast sheets \u2014 Month and Expenses columns with months 1 to 9 filled and months 10 to 12 empty” title_text=”Month and Expenses columns with months 1 to 9 filled and months 10 to 12 empty” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Select the cells where you want the projected expenses to appear.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/forecast-sheets-select-expenses-cells.webp” alt=”Forecast sheets \u2014 cells B11:B13 selected next to months 10, 11 and 12″ title_text=”Cells B11:B13 selected next to months 10, 11 and 12″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> Type in the ARRAYFORMULA, as shown below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-arrayformula.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 =ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell B11 with the array_formula hint” title_text=”=ARRAYFORMULA( typed in cell B11 with the array_formula hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 4.<\/strong> After the parenthesis, type FORECAST and open a new parenthesis.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-add-forecast.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 =ARRAYFORMULA(FORECAST( typed in B11 with the x, data_y, data_x hint” title_text=”=ARRAYFORMULA(FORECAST( typed in B11 with the x, data_y, data_x hint” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Instead of selecting just one cell for the value of x, select the array. Add a comma to move to the second argument of the formula.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-new-x-array.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 FORECAST(A11:A13, with months 10 to 12 as the x array” title_text=”FORECAST(A11:A13, with months 10 to 12 as the x array” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> Select the cells containing data_y, the known values for the dependent variable. Add a comma to move to the last argument in the formula.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-known-y-array.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10, with the expenses in B2:B10 selected” title_text=”FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10, with the expenses in B2:B10 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 7.<\/strong> Select the cells containing data_x, the known values for the independent variable. Here, select the month values of the first three quarters.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-known-x-array.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10,A2:A10 with months 1 to 9 selected” title_text=”FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10,A2:A10 with months 1 to 9 selected” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 8.<\/strong> Remember to close both parentheses before pressing \u201cEnter\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-close-parentheses.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 =ARRAYFORMULA(FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10,A2:A10)) with both parentheses closed” title_text=”=ARRAYFORMULA(FORECAST(A11:A13,B2:B10,A2:A10)) with both parentheses closed” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n 9.<\/strong> That\u2019s it. The projected expenses for the next three months are shown below.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.sheetgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/google-spreadsheet-forecast-projected-expenses.webp” alt=”Google spreadsheet forecast \u2014 projected expenses of $11,975.50, $12,133.90 and $12,292.30 for months 10 to 12″ title_text=”Projected expenses of $11,975.50, $12,133.90 and $12,292.30 for months 10 to 12″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text module_id=”conclusion” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n The FORECAST formula in Google Sheets can be used to predict future values based on historical data. As with any prediction of the future, it shouldn\u2019t be taken too literally, as it assumes that the relationship between the variables will remain unaffected in the future. However, if you have historical data that shows a linear trend and you don\u2019t foresee big changes in the near future, the FORECAST formula can be very useful.<\/p>\n After reading this article, you know about the FORECAST function and how to use it to calculate projected yearly sales and monthly expenses. You\u2019ve also learned how to use the ARRAYFORMULA to obtain multiple predicted values from FORECAST.<\/p>\n To learn more about financial formulas and forecasting, check out these related articles:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" La fonction FORECAST de Google Sheets pr\u00e9dit des valeurs futures \u00e0 partir de donn\u00e9es pass\u00e9es. Cr\u00e9ez des feuilles de pr\u00e9vision qui projettent ventes et d\u00e9penses gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 des exemples pas \u00e0 pas.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":263809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-263793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google-sheets-formulas"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=263793"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/263793\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/263809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=263793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=263793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sheetgo.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=263793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Google Sheets FORECAST function<\/h2>\n
FORECAST formula syntax<\/h3>\n
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Use FORECAST to calculate projected values<\/h2>\n
Use FORECAST to calculate projected sales<\/h3>\n
Use FORECAST to calculate projected expenses<\/h3>\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n
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