trend line analysis

Hello

I was wondering if someone some forecasting or trend line help.

I have sets of data (counts of sales ppl) that are qualifying for annual prize as top sellers. I show this data each month.

I need to show what the projected or forecasted figure might come around. can someone pls help me with figuring out how I can go about doing this in excel?

I noticed I can add a trendline in excel graph, but is there a way to provide flexibility, through a formula to tell me what the "forecasted" or "expected" # of sales ppl that may qualify at the end of the year?

Thx u so much!

hello all

i have attached a sample.

it includes a graph with a trendline

however i was wondering if it is possible to show the value in P

so what the expected or forecasted number will be by the end of P12 (december).

can someone pls help!

any help guys?....

is there a way to show how to predict a number for december or P12? pls and thx u

Simplest approach for someone who isn't familiar with regression might be:

1) right click on the trendline -> select "options" -> check "show equation on chart" This brings up the trendline's equation.
2) hand copy the coefficients into the spreadsheet. Recognize at this point that, because you haven't given it any "x" values (the "x" values you have are text and have no numerical significance), Excel uses the series 1,2,3,4,... for x.
3) enter a formula in the spreadsheet to solve the trendline equation at x=12 (for December. November would be 11 and so on).

FWIW, if you are going to be doing this kind of analysis frequently, I would suggest you learn a little about regression so you can do this directly in the spreadsheet where you will have better control over x and how Excel does the regression.