The model itself consists of a set of tabs (sometimes called sheets) that work together to create the model's output and provide various ways to read and worth with that output.
The contains three primary kinds of tabs that work together to create the model's output and provide various ways to read and worth with model output.
Reports
Reports are tabs that present the output of your model.
Schedules
Schedules include inputs and are how the model calculates its outputs.
Data Tabs
Data tabs contain data tables that are used to drive your schedules.
☝️Quick Tip: Tabs are color-coded by convention to help you quickly orient yourself when working in the model.
Report tabs are BLUE
Schedule tabs are GOLD
Data tabs are GREY
Tab Layout and Logic Flow
By default, the tabs are laid out from left to right starting with Reports, thenSchedules, then Data Tabs. This is intended to make it easy for a non-modeler to understand and work with the output of the model, will revealing complexity and functionality as you move across the tabs to the right.
The logic flow of the model moves in the opposite direction, meaning that the most detailed user inputs happen in tabs to the right, and are used in shedules and reports that "flow" into tabs on the left.
As an example, let's look at how the model forecasts orders for the DTC channel:
All roads lead to M-Monthly.
The out schedules are consolidated together to form your forward-looking financial statements in the M-Monthly tab. In this tab, you'll find a complete register of your Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, and a number of financial and operational metrics.
For the most part, your Reports will be referencing data on this tab, so if you ever need to de-bug or investigate where a number in your reports is coming from, this is a good place to start. As we like to say, "all roads lead to M-Monthly."
