Planning Grid:
Q: How do I see the forecast numbers behind my actuals?
A: Change your GDS (Global Date Selector) to 'Actuals to None'. This will remove the actuals overlay and display your underlying forecast figures.
Q: Can the names of categories be changed in Figured?
A: No — category names are preset in Figured and can't be edited. However, if there's a category you'd like to see added, let us know via the green chat bubble and we can pass that feedback on to the team.
Q: Should I enter values as positive or negative in the planning grid?
A: For income and expense accounts, Figured already knows the direction of the cash flow — income is positive and expenses are negative by default. You only need to enter a negative value on an income account if recording a refund or credit note, as this signals a reversal of the norm for that account.
Where you need to specify the direction is for below the line items such as loan drawdowns or repayments, capital purchases or sales, and drawings. The rule here is simple: money in = positive, money out = negative. For example, a loan drawdown is entered as a positive (money coming in), while a loan repayment is entered as a negative (money going out). Similarly, drawings taken are entered as a negative (money going out), while capital or money introduced is entered as a positive (money coming in).
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Q: When entering values into the planning grid for forecasting, do I use amounts including or excluding GST?
A: Enter all values excluding GST. Figured automatically calculates GST on top of your entries based on the account's GST settings in your accounting software. The GST section at the bottom of the planning grid will populate automatically as you plan.
Q: Once I've saved a budget as a snapshot, can it be reinstated? If I make a mistake in my planning grid, can I get my original budget back?
A: Yes — you can reinstate a saved snapshot at any time by going to Tools > Import > Snapshot and selecting the version you want to restore. It's also worth noting that whenever you import data into the planning grid, Figured automatically saves your existing forecast as a snapshot, so you have a backup even if you didn't manually save one before making changes.
Q: Can I pick a snapshot to show as the blue line on the dashboard without creating a new annual plan?
A: Yes — the blue line on the dashboard represents your annual plan, and the black line represents your live forecast as you update through the year. You can set any saved snapshot as your annual plan.
To save and set a new snapshot as your annual plan, go to the planning grid and click 'Approve plan' (if you haven't saved one before) or 'Take snapshot'. Give it a name, tick 'Set this snapshot as annual plan', and save.
If you already have multiple snapshots saved, go to Planning > Snapshots, hover over the one you want, click the three dots (...) and select 'Set as annual plan'. Note — if the dashboard shows a straight line, it means no annual plan has been set yet.
Q: What's the difference between a snapshot and an annual plan?
A: A snapshot is a saved copy of your forecast at a specific point in time — think of it as a version you can refer back to or restore later. An annual plan is simply the snapshot you've chosen to benchmark against. It appears as the blue line on your dashboard, giving you a visual comparison between your original plan and your live forecast (the black line) as you update through the year. Any snapshot can be set as your annual plan.
Q: Can I add a new line to my budget for something that doesn't exist in Xero yet?
A: Yes, but you'll need to add the account code in your accounting software's Chart of Accounts first, then resync Figured for it to appear in your planning grid. This applies whether you're using the line for actuals or just for forecasting — the account needs to exist in your accounting software so that Figured can pull it through.
Q: Is there a way to stop manual journals from my accountant transferring through to Figured?
A: There's no blanket setting to block all manual journals, as Figured pulls data directly from your accounting software. However, there are options within each platform to prevent specific journals from affecting your reports:
In Xero, ensure the "Show journal on cash basis report" option is turned off when creating the journal — this is the default setting for most journals.
In MYOB, tick the "Year-End Adjustment" box on the journal entry. You'll also need to tick the option to remove adjusting journals in Figured when running your cash flow report.
After any changes in your accounting software, make sure to resync Figured to pull the updates through. Always check with your accountant before modifying or deleting any journals they've created.
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Q: Should I enter my loan repayments as positive or negative in the planning grid?
A: Loan repayments should be entered as negative values in the planning grid, as they reduce your bank account balance. Conversely, a loan drawdown (i.e. receiving funds from a new loan or additional borrowing) should be entered as a positive value, as this represents money coming into your bank account.
Q: What happens if I change an account code or name in Xero/MYOB — does it update in Figured?
A: Yes — any changes to account codes or names in your accounting software will update in Figured once you re-sync. Go to Accounting > Sync to pull through the latest changes. It's worth noting that any forecast data already entered against that account will remain intact — only the account name or code will update.