Finance scenario: Intelligent sales forecasting
Download scenario guide Watch how to start with Microsoft CopilotAvailable with: Copilot for Microsoft 365 Scenario level:
KPIs impacted
Risk management
Improve profit margin
Value benefit
Cost savings
Increase revenue
Using Copilot for intelligent sales forecasting
1. Prepare and cleanse data
Aggregate historical sales data into an Excel spreadsheet, then use Copilot for guidance on how to standardize the data formatting.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: Suggest formulas to standardize the data formatting, including removing trailing spaces and correcting capitalization.
2. Analyze sales patterns
Use Copilot in Excel to run an advanced analysis on the data, getting deeper analysis results using Python.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: Suggest formulas to standardize the data formatting, including removing trailing spaces and correcting capitalization.
3. Query the data
Use Copilot in Excel to ask specific questions about the data.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: What are my top 3 product categories, by revenue, over the last 3 years?
4. Forecast annual sales
Use Copilot in Excel to forecast annual sales.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: Forecast revenue by category for the next two years, with historic data in a single chart.
5. Evaluate and adjust forecasts
Evaluate the forecast output and adjust the forecast model if needed.
Copilot in Excel
Action: Adjust the Python code in the workbook to refine and rerun the forecast as needed.
6. Communicate forecasts
Create a summary of the forecast and share the results with the team.
Copilot in Excel
Example prompt: Create a summary of the forecast highlighting the top three product categories.
1Access Copilot at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
2Access Business Chat at copilot.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Copilot mobile app and set toggle to “Web”.
3Copilot agents allow Microsoft 365 Copilot to access your company-specific apps. In the past, this would have required an API call to get data from a system of record. The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.
The content in this example scenario is for demonstration purposes only. You should evaluate how Copilot aligns with your organization’s business processes, regulatory requirements, and responsible AI principles.
