Line items in Blocks are meant to be projected on. At Basis, we've developed a natural language method of forecasting, which lets you reference all line items, metrics, magic rollups, and cells by name and month.
Users have found that this form of modeling drastically speeds up their ability to model, and more importantly their ability to later understand the model and explain decisions to others. In Basis, coming back to a model and understanding how it works should be easy and contextual.
Setting Formulas using Natural language references
Click or navigate into a line item or cell you have permission to edit. Begin typing to create your formula and Basis will prompt you with options from your repository of data.
Natural language references
In Basis, names are important as they're the primary way of finding and building formula references. Within the formula input start typing to see a drop-down of all your available inputs, assumptions, and metric line items you have access to. Press Enter or click to select a reference. Continue typing to build your formula.
Relative time reference
Formulas primarily use relative time references. Instead of hard-coding A48 + $1000 at Basis we say Computer Expenses Last Month + $1000.
Copy & Paste or Range Fill
Smart range-fill and copy/paste lets you set default formulas for simple models.
💡 Dragging a relative formula down will pick up on relative references letting you quickly set default projections in bulk such as anticipated 5% MoM growth for vendor expenses.
Supported Formula Functions
Many of your expected functions are present and available to use such as sum, average, ceiling, round, etc.
Diagnosing Errors
Basis provides details on why formulas failed. For example, if references are not in Pills, they are invalid. Above we show how Basis would show you syntax errors and division by zero errors.
Possible errors include:
!num: A formula contains or is resulting in invalid numeric values, for example, the number may be too big to calculate or display.
!timecyc: A formula is referring to its own result either directly or indirectly, creating an endless loop of calculations.
!cyc: A formula is referring to its own result either directly or indirectly, creating an endless loop of calculations.
!div/0: A formula attempts to divide a number by zero, which is undefined and causes an error in calculations.
!ref: A formula is referencing a cell or line-item that has errors, preventing it from calculating properly."
!syntax: A formula has incorrect structure or syntax, preventing it from executing properly.
!deleted: A formula is referencing a cell or line-item that does not exist or is outside the scope of the Plan.