> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/flex-modes/save-and-share-your-work/create-a-budget.md).

# Create a budget

Create a sales budget in Budgets & Forecasts directly from your Flex Modes view, carrying your budget structure, filters, measure, and period across automatically.

{% hint style="info" %}
User permissions: Budgets & Forecasts and Manage Budgets & Forecasts
{% endhint %}

Sometimes referred to as one-click budgeting, this is a quick way to turn the data you're already analyzing into an [operational budget](/budgets-and-forecasts/owner-and-administrator/create-a-budget.md). Set up the data you want to budget in Flex Modes first, then create the workbook with that structure already in place, reducing the setup you need to do in [Budgets & Forecasts](https://docs.phocassoftware.com/budgets-and-forecasts/).

This is particularly useful for large operational budgets. Focusing on the customers, products, or other entities you want to budget before creating the workbook can reduce the amount of data it needs to process.

{% hint style="info" %}
The **Create budget** button displays even if you don't have access to Budgets & Forecasts. If you don't have access, selecting it opens information about the module instead.
{% endhint %}

## Arrange your view

Set up your Flex Modes view to match how you want to budget. The dimensions, filters, measure, and period you select form the starting point for the new workbook, so preparing the view first can save setup time later.

Before you create the budget:

* [**Create a nested view:**](/flex-modes/customize-the-grid/create-a-nested-view.md) Add the dimensions you want to budget by to the Nest view drop zone. Each dimension becomes a level in the budget, in the same order.
* [**Focus your data:**](/flex-modes/explore-your-data/filter-data/focus-or-exclude-data.md) Focus on the specific entities you want to include, such as particular customers or products. The focused entities become filters in the budget.
* [**Select a measure:**](/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/change-the-measure.md) Select the measure you want to budget.
* [**Select a period:**](/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/change-the-period.md) Select a [supported](#check-what-is-supported) Month, Year, or Custom period.

## Create the budget

When your view is ready:

1. Select **Create budget** in the toolbar.
2. Wait for the budget workbook to be created.

The new operational budget opens in Budgets & Forecasts in a new browser tab, with the supported structure and selections from your Flex Modes view already applied.

If **Create budget** is disabled, check that your current view meets the requirements below.

## Check what is supported

Your Flex Modes view needs to meet certain requirements before it can be converted into a budget.

{% columns %}
{% column %}

#### Supported

* **Mode:** [Period mode](/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/switch-modes/period-mode.md)
* **Period type:** Month, Year, or a [Custom period type](/administration/periods-administration/period-types.md) your administrator has configured
* **Measure:** One measure
* **Filters:** Focus filters on dimensions
  {% endcolumn %}

{% column %}

#### Not supported

* **Mode:** Variance, Total, Stream, Transaction
* **Period type:** Quarter, Week, Day, or a custom date range
* **Measure:** Multiple measures (only the first is used)
* **Calculated columns and measures**
* **Filters:** Keyword, ranking, condition, and grouped criteria
  {% endcolumn %}
  {% endcolumns %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Budgets & Forecasts needs to support the selected period type. A custom period in Flex Modes needs to match a preconfigured custom period type in Budgets & Forecasts.
{% endhint %}

## Review the budget

Review the newly created workbook before you start budgeting. Check that the levels, filters, measure, and period reflect the Flex Modes view you created it from.

You can then open the budget setup and make any structural changes you need before starting the budget workflow.

See [Next steps](/budgets-and-forecasts/owner-and-administrator/create-a-budget.md#createabudget-nextsteps) in the Budgets & Forecasts documentation for what to check when a budget has been created automatically from Flex Modes.

## Find your budget workbook

You don't need to save the workbook before closing the browser tab. The budget is available from your [Budgets & Forecasts homepage](/budgets-and-forecasts/getting-started/take-a-tour-of-budgets-and-forecasts.md) alongside the other workbooks you have access to.

You're set as the owner of the new workbook and can open or delete it as needed.

## Compare your budget against actuals in Flex Modes

When the budget workflow is complete, [publish the budget](/budgets-and-forecasts/owner-and-administrator/publish-a-budget-forecast-or-other-worksheet-tab.md) to a stream in the underlying database. Operational budget streams are available immediately after publishing, without the additional package or scenario setup required for financial budgets.

Return to Flex Modes and select the published budget from the [**Stream**](/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/change-the-stream.md) menu. You can also switch to [Stream mode](/flex-modes/change-your-analysis/switch-modes/stream-mode.md) to compare the budget against your actuals or another stream.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.phocassoftware.com/flex-modes/save-and-share-your-work/create-a-budget.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.