Semi-controversial statement:

(well, controversial for Excel at least...)


I'm actually not a huge fan of "input pages."

In some instances, sure, like:

-- Model start date

-- Last updated

-- Latest Actuals thru, etc.

But for Operating Assumptions?

I actually like the inputs at the line-item level.

◼️ Revenue growth for example:

There's something satisfying about changing an input cell and then immediately seeing the numbers change.

◼️ Or something like working capital:

I like to fiddle with DSO, DPO at the monthly level and immediately see the change in cash.

Plus I get to do my favorite habit of:

-- ctrl + z (undo)

-- ctrl + y (redo)

-- ctrl + z (undo)

-- ctrl + y (redo)

and basically toggle things back and forth until my brain says "looks good."

**********

Maybe it's just a "model trust thing" for me 🤔?

(𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦)

So if I can mess with input cells and say in my head "that makes sense, that makes sense," I think it helps me feel better.

With an input page, I feel like I lose some of that trust.

I update a cell, but then I need to flip through the model to make sure it actually worked.

THEN AGAIN, I've worked on a few SaaS models recently that do this really well and have nice charts next to the inputs so I can "see" the impact.

So maybe it all just comes down to style/preference?

**********

I suppose my preference isn't "best practices," but the model isn't the business, it's just a tool.

The best models? Honestly it doesn't matter how you do it.

The best models create action for your team -- that's it.

INDEX/MATCH, VLOOKUP, Input page, Line item inputs -- doesn't really matter.

Just my two cents.

**********

So -- what's your preference?

Input page? Line item inputs? Combo?

—Chris

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