use-cases/cash-flow-forecast.md 2026-07-27 18:59 UTC to 2026-07-28 23:01 UTC

name: Forecast cash flow tagline: Find the liquidity low point in an editable forecast workbook. summary: Give ChatGPT 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. skills:

• token: $spreadsheets description: Build editable forecast workbooks, wire formulas to assumptions, and add checks for scenarios and input gaps. bestFor:

• Finance and operations teams building a 13-week or monthly cash forecast.

• Forecasts that need receipts, payroll, vendor payments, and working-capital assumptions in one workbook.

• Teams reviewing runway, safety-balance breaches, and scenario drivers before a planning meeting. starterPrompt: title: Forecast cash flow body: >- Use $spreadsheets to build an editable cash-flow forecast workbook from the attached source files.

  Use 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.

  Include 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. suggestedEffort: medium relatedLinks:

• label: Agent skills url: /codex/build-skills

For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending .md to the page URL.

Introduction

When 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.

Make the forecast

1. Attach the cash-flow inputs, operating assumptions, and model constraints.
2. Run the starter prompt and ask for an editable .xlsx workbook.
3. Open the workbook in ChatGPT. Expand it into the full-screen view to inspect assumptions, formulas, scenarios, and the summary tab.
4. Continue in the same chat to change collections, payroll, vendor payment, growth, or safety-balance assumptions.

When the workbook appears in the chat, 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.

Review cash pressure

Before using the forecast, ask ChatGPT to identify the low point, tie the workbook back to the source inputs, and list assumptions that need review.

Prompt:

Review the cash-flow forecast.

Tell me:

- the first week or month cash drops below the safety balance
- the liquidity low point
- the main drivers of cash pressure
- formulas or tabs that do not tie to the source inputs
- assumptions that need human review
- which scenario I should review before using this with the team

Fix safe formatting or formula issues, then list anything I should review manually.

Run a scenario

After reviewing the workbook in ChatGPT, use follow-up prompts to change one scenario driver at a time.

Prompt:

Add 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].

Keep the base case visible, update dependent formulas, and tell me how ending cash and the liquidity low point change.