How to Enter Values
This article explains how to enter values into Model Reef input fields.
You will learn:
Where you can type values directly.
How manual values interact with presets and formulas.
How Model Reef treats value edits across the model timeline.
Values are usually entered or edited in the Variable Editor and some driver inputs.
Where you can type values
You can type numeric values directly in:
The time series grid inside the Variable Editor.
Some fields in the Driver Editor.
Certain summary fields that feed a preset (for example a base value before escalation).
If a field is editable, it will accept focus when clicked and show a cursor.
Read only fields:
Are often greyed out or show as calculated.
Cannot be overwritten directly.
Are the result of formulas, imports or other logic.
Filling multiple periods with the same value
In many grids you can:
Type a value in the first period and use a fill or copy behaviour to extend it across later periods.
Use keyboard shortcuts (for example copy and paste) to duplicate values across ranges.
This is useful for simple flat assumptions such as a constant rent or subscription cost.
The exact fill mechanics are interface specific, but the key behaviour is:
Each period holds a value.
When you fill across, each target period is assigned that value.
Interaction with presets and formulas
If a variable uses a preset or formula:
Manual edits may be disabled for the derived series.
Or manual edits may override the preset for specific periods, depending on configuration.
General rules:
When a custom formula is active, the time series is derived from the formula for all periods. Manual entry is not available unless you switch back to a manual mode.
When a preset is active, some presets allow manual overrides while others do not. The editor will indicate whether manual cells are editable.
If you need fully manual control, choose a manual input mode for that variable.
Units and scaling when entering values
Values are stored in base units, but the display may be scaled (for example thousands or millions).
When entering values:
Pay attention to the display units shown in the Units and bounds panel.
If the field shows values in thousands, typing
10means ten thousand in base units.Changing display units later does not change the underlying stored values.
Use consistent units across related variables to avoid confusion.
Validation and out of range values
When you type a value, Model Reef may:
Flag it if it is outside configured bounds.
Show a warning if it looks unrealistic compared to historical patterns.
Reject non numeric input.
Warnings help catch data entry mistakes, but they do not automatically decide whether a value is correct. You can still override bounds if necessary, depending on configuration.
Impact of value changes
Every value you enter or change:
Immediately updates the variable's time series.
Reflows into P&L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow and Cash Waterfall.
Updates dashboards, charts and valuations for the scenario.
Use the preview views and dashboards to confirm that your value edits have the effect you expect.
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