Given a choice, you'd rather be in the field making sales than be at your desk creating sales forecasts. But you realize that management needs reliable sales forecast figures and that solid projections are essential to a successful sales strategy. Fortunately, forecasting sales doesn't have to be difficult.

To turn your prior sales data into meaningful sales forecasts, you can use the regression analysis tools in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 to crunch the numbers and plot your data. First, gather your past sales data, and then use the tools in Excel to create a chart of your past sales. Next, you can project your sales into the future by using trendlines. Choosing the right trendline for your sales data can help you create the most accurate forecast of your data.

If you need to forecast sales for your entire team, you need to gather data from other team members. Using collaboration tools can save you time because you won't have to consolidate all the information yourself. Make sure, however, that you evaluate the data you gather; for example, don't mistake seasonal changes in your industry for long-term trends.

Choose your sales forecasting tools based on your industry and sales strategy. Excel sales forecasting templates can get you started, and you can modify them according to your needs.

Use the following information and tools to help you forecast sales more easily and accurately.

Building and analyzing sales forecasts

• Demo: Base sales forecasts and trendlines on data (Demo)
  See how to evaluate trendlines sales forecasts on data.
• Show trends and forecast sales with charts (Article)
  Learn how to predict sales trends and create meaningful sales forecasts.
• Add, change, or remove a trendline in a chart (Article)
  Learn about showing trends and which type of trendline works best for your sales data.
• Perform a regression analysis (Article)
  Master the details of regression analysis to build more accurate forecasts.
• Collaborate on sales forecasts with Excel lists and Windows SharePoint Services (Article)
  Learn how Excel and Windows SharePoint Services can help your team work together on forecasts.

Templates for sales forecasting

• 12 month sales forecast (Template)
  Use this Excel template to forecast sales for one year.
• Detailed sales forecast (Template)
  Use this Excel template to create a detailed sales forecast.
• Streamlined sales forecast (Template)
  Use this Excel template to create a streamlined sales forecast.
• Sales account adjustment forecast (Template)
  Use this Excel template to create a sales and marketing forecast.
• Channel sales forecast (Template)
  Use this Excel template to forecast sales for your channels or major accounts.