1# Forecast cash flow | Codex use cases1---
2 2name: Forecast cash flow
3Codex use cases3tagline: Find the liquidity low point in an editable forecast workbook.
4 4summary: Give ChatGPT cash-flow inputs and model constraints, then ask it to
55 create an editable workbook that preserves the source cadence, flags
6 6 safety-balance breaches, and shows which assumptions drive cash pressure.
77skills:
8 8 - token: $spreadsheets
9Codex use case9 description: Build editable forecast workbooks, wire formulas to assumptions,
10 10 and add checks for scenarios and input gaps.
11# Forecast cash flow11bestFor:
12 12 - Finance and operations teams building a 13-week or monthly cash forecast.
13Find the liquidity low point in an editable forecast workbook.13 - Forecasts that need receipts, payroll, vendor payments, and working-capital
14 14 assumptions in one workbook.
15Difficulty **Intermediate**15 - Teams reviewing runway, safety-balance breaches, and scenario drivers before
16 16 a planning meeting.
17Time horizon **30m**17starterPrompt:
18 18 title: Forecast cash flow
19Give Codex cash-flow inputs and model constraints, then ask it to create an editable workbook that preserves the source cadence, flags safety-balance breaches, and shows which assumptions drive cash pressure.19 body: >-
20 20 Use $spreadsheets to build an editable cash-flow forecast workbook from the
21## Best for21 attached source files.
22 22
23- Finance and operations teams building a 13-week or monthly cash forecast.23
24- Forecasts that need receipts, payroll, vendor payments, and working-capital assumptions in one workbook.24 Use beginning cash, expected receipts, payroll, vendor payments, debt, tax,
25- Teams reviewing runway, safety-balance breaches, and scenario drivers before a planning meeting.25 capex, working-capital items, and timing assumptions where available.
26 26 Preserve the source cadence, whether weekly or monthly.
27# Contents27
28 28
29[← All use cases](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases)29 Include a summary view that flags the liquidity low point, the minimum
30 30 ending cash balance, and any breach of the safety cash threshold. Use
31Copy page [Export as PDF](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/cash-flow-forecast/?export=pdf)31 formulas so I can change assumptions later, and call out missing timing
32 32 assumptions before using placeholders.
33Give Codex cash-flow inputs and model constraints, then ask it to create an editable workbook that preserves the source cadence, flags safety-balance breaches, and shows which assumptions drive cash pressure.33 suggestedEffort: medium
34 34relatedLinks:
35Intermediate35 - label: Agent skills
36 36 url: /codex/build-skills
3730m37---
38
39Related links
40
41[Agent skills](https://developers.openai.com/codex/skills)
42
43## Best for
44
45- Finance and operations teams building a 13-week or monthly cash forecast.
46- Forecasts that need receipts, payroll, vendor payments, and working-capital assumptions in one workbook.
47- Teams reviewing runway, safety-balance breaches, and scenario drivers before a planning meeting.
48
49## Skills & Plugins
50
51- Spreadsheets
52
53 Build editable forecast workbooks, wire formulas to assumptions, and add checks for scenarios and input gaps.
54
55| Skill | Why use it |
56| --- | --- |
57| Spreadsheets | Build editable forecast workbooks, wire formulas to assumptions, and add checks for scenarios and input gaps. |
58
59## Starter prompt
60
61Use $spreadsheets to build an editable cash-flow forecast workbook from the attached source files.
62Use beginning cash, expected receipts, payroll, vendor payments, debt, tax, capex, working-capital items, and timing assumptions where available. Preserve the source cadence, whether weekly or monthly.
63Include a summary view that flags the liquidity low point, the minimum ending cash balance, and any breach of the safety cash threshold. Use formulas so I can change assumptions later, and call out missing timing assumptions before using placeholders.
64
65Open in the Codex app
66
67Use $spreadsheets to build an editable cash-flow forecast workbook from the attached source files.
68Use beginning cash, expected receipts, payroll, vendor payments, debt, tax, capex, working-capital items, and timing assumptions where available. Preserve the source cadence, whether weekly or monthly.
69Include a summary view that flags the liquidity low point, the minimum ending cash balance, and any breach of the safety cash threshold. Use formulas so I can change assumptions later, and call out missing timing assumptions before using placeholders.
70 38
71## Introduction39## Introduction
72 40
73When you are building a cash-flow forecast, you want to make sure it is accurate and reflects the reality of your business. You can use Codex to help you create a forecast workbook that you can inspect and revise in Codex. Attach the cash-flow inputs, operating assumptions, and model constraints. You can also use file references when the inputs live in Google Drive or another connected source.41When you are building a cash-flow forecast, you want to make sure it is accurate and reflects the reality of your business. You can use ChatGPT to help you create a forecast workbook that you can inspect and revise in ChatGPT. Attach the cash-flow inputs, operating assumptions, and model constraints. You can also use file references when the inputs live in Google Drive or another connected source.
74
75[
76Your browser does not support the video tag.
77](https://openaiassets.blob.core.windows.net/$web/codex/docs/developers-website/use-cases/Cash-flow%20forecast.mp4)
78 42
79## Make the forecast43## Make the forecast
80 44
811. Attach the cash-flow inputs, operating assumptions, and model constraints.
822. Run the starter prompt and ask for an editable `.xlsx` workbook.
833. Open the workbook in Codex. Expand it into the full-screen view to inspect assumptions, formulas, scenarios, and the summary tab.
844. Continue in the same thread to change collections, payroll, vendor payment, growth, or safety-balance assumptions.
85
86When the workbook appears in the thread, open it in Codex and expand it full-screen. Review the timing assumptions, formulas, scenarios, and summary tab, then ask Codex to revise the same workbook from there.
87
88## Review cash pressure
89
90Before using the forecast, ask Codex to identify the low point, tie the workbook back to the source inputs, and list assumptions that need review.
91 45
92Review the cash-flow forecast.
93Tell me:
94- the first week or month cash drops below the safety balance
95- the liquidity low point
96- the main drivers of cash pressure
97- formulas or tabs that do not tie to the source inputs
98- assumptions that need human review
99- which scenario I should review before using this with the team
100Fix safe formatting or formula issues, then list anything I should review manually.
101 46
102## Run a scenario471. Attach the cash-flow inputs, operating assumptions, and model constraints.
103 482. Run the starter prompt and ask for an editable `.xlsx` workbook.
104After reviewing the workbook in Codex, use follow-up prompts to change one scenario driver at a time.493. Open the workbook in ChatGPT. Expand it into the full-screen view to inspect assumptions, formulas, scenarios, and the summary tab.
105 504. Continue in the same task to change collections, payroll, vendor payment, growth, or safety-balance assumptions.
106Add a scenario where [collections slow by X days, payroll increases by X%, vendor payments move earlier, or bookings increase by X% with collection timing of N days].
107Keep the base case visible, update dependent formulas, and tell me how ending cash and the liquidity low point change.
108
109## Related use cases
110
111[
112
113### Model a DCF valuation
114
115Attach historical financials, valuation assumptions, and modeling notes, then ask Codex for...
116
117Data Knowledge Work](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/dcf-model)[
118 51
119### Review budget vs. actuals
120 52
121Give Codex a budget, actuals export, and close notes, then ask it to map actuals to plan...
122 53
123Data Knowledge Work](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/budget-vs-actuals-review)[54When the workbook appears in the task, open it and expand it full-screen. Review the timing assumptions, formulas, scenarios, and summary tab, then ask ChatGPT to revise the same workbook from there.
124 55
125### Clean and prepare messy data56## Review cash pressure
126 57
127Drag in or mention a messy CSV or spreadsheet, describe the problems you see, and ask Codex...58Before using the forecast, ask ChatGPT to identify the low point, tie the workbook back to the source inputs, and list assumptions that need review.
128 59
129Data Knowledge Work](https://developers.openai.com/codex/use-cases/clean-messy-data)60## Run a scenario
130 61
62After reviewing the workbook in ChatGPT, use follow-up prompts to change one scenario driver at a time.