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Free Cash Flow Forecast Template (Excel) — see your runway

A business can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash — because customers pay late while rent, stock and KRA don't wait. This free forecast shows your cash balance month by month, so you see trouble coming instead of hitting it. Enter your opening cash and each month's expected in and out, and the running balance and low point work themselves out.

Download free — Excel (.xlsx) ↓Opens in Excel or Google Sheets · no sign-up

What's inside

  • Running cash balance, month by month
  • Lowest cash point and the month you'd run short
  • Red flag on any negative month
  • Total cash in, out and ending cash
  • Plain-language runway warning

The tabs

  • Start Here (guide)
  • Forecast
  • Dashboard

Yellow cells only. You type in the yellow cells; the rest are locked formulas. Gridlines are off and it prints clean on A4.

Type what's in your till and bank today, then for each month enter the cash you expect in (sales, receivables) and out (stock, rent, wages, loan, KRA). The sheet computes each month's net and your closing balance, and turns any negative month red. The Dashboard shows your total cash in and out, your ending cash, and — the number that matters — your lowest cash point, with a clear warning if any month goes negative so you can act early: chase receivables, delay spending or arrange a facility.

It's the simplest early-warning system a business can keep, and it separates owners who get caught short from those who don't. Formulas locked, opens in Excel or Google Sheets; update it weekly as reality lands.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do I need a cash flow forecast if I'm profitable?

Profit and cash are not the same. You can be profitable yet run out of cash when customers pay late while rent, stock and KRA fall due. A forecast shows your actual cash balance over time, so you see a squeeze before it happens.

How does it tell me when I'll run short?

Each month's closing balance is your opening cash plus every net since. If any closing balance goes negative, that month turns red and the dashboard warns you — that's the point you'd run short unless you act.

How often should I update it?

Weekly is ideal. Replace your estimates with what actually happened and roll the forecast forward, so your runway always reflects reality.