--- title: Create a Consolidation description: Build a consolidation project to budget/forecast for multiple business units --- [Skip to content](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online/create-a-consolidation#main-content) [![PlanGuru Help Center](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_PlanGuru_helpcenter.png?width=360&height=50&name=logo_PlanGuru_helpcenter.png)](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) - [Your Tickets](https://help.planguru.com/tickets-view) - [Sign out](https://help.planguru.com/_hcms/mem/logout) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Your Tickets](https://help.planguru.com/tickets-view) - [Sign out](https://help.planguru.com/_hcms/mem/logout) - [Submit a Ticket](https://help.planguru.com/tickets-view/new) [Submit a Ticket](https://help.planguru.com/tickets-view/new?hsLang=en) Hello. What do you need help with? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [PlanGuru App (Online)](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en) 3. [Setup & Import](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#setup-import) # Create a Consolidation ## Build a consolidation project to budget/forecast for multiple business units     If your organization needs to budget and forecast for **multiple business units** that roll up into a consolidated view, PlanGuru makes it easy to set up a **Consolidation Project**. This is ideal for departments, divisions, locations, or subsidiaries — and can be structured for **single-level** or **multi-level consolidations**. ### When to Use a Consolidation Project A consolidation project is useful if: - You budget at the **department/class level** (e.g., from QuickBooks) and then roll them into company-level totals. - You have **multiple companies** or entities that need to be combined into a top-level view. - You want the flexibility to build each business unit individually or use a **template** for consistency. > 💡 **Tip:** For more complex multi-level consolidations, consider PlanGuru’s [Launch implementation service](https://www.planguru.com/products/launch/) — our team can assist with setup or build your model for you. --- ### 1️⃣ Starting a Consolidation Project From the **Home Page**: 1. Expand the company. 2. Click **Add New Project**. 3. Configure the standard project settings: - Project Name - Whether you are using **Account Numbers** (if yes, define your Account Mask — e.g., `AAAA` for 4-digit numbers) 4. **Select “Consolidation Project”** to enable multi-entity structure. > ⚠️ This may adjust your subscription pricing depending on your plan (monthly or annual). [Pricing info is available on the PlanGuru website](https://www.planguru.com/products/). ![Consolidation Project](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Consolidation%20Project.png?width=688&height=354&name=Consolidation%20Project.png) --- ### 2️⃣ Configuring Consolidation Settings After selecting **Consolidation Project** and clicking **Submit**, set the structure all business units will inherit: - **Name**: Default is *Consolidation*, but you can prepend your company name for clarity. - **Budget Year**: First year of projections. - **Projection Years**: Up to **10 years**. - **Monthly Breakdown**: Up to **3 years** (may expand to 5 in future). - **Forecast Month**: First month of projections in the budget year. Example: If your fiscal year starts in January but you begin in April, choose April to include actuals for Jan–Mar. - **Historical Years**: Up to **5 years**, with monthly or annual detail. - **Consolidate Assumptions & KPIs**: - **Yes** if business units operate identically and you want to aggregate variables (e.g., units sold, payroll drivers). - **No** if each business unit has unique logic. ![Consolidation Project Setup](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Consolidation%20Project%20Setup.png?width=688&height=213&name=Consolidation%20Project%20Setup.png) Click **Submit** — all future business units in this project will inherit these settings. --- ### 3️⃣ Adding Business Units After the consolidation is generated: 1. Click **Add Business Unit**. 2. Name the business unit. 3. Choose a source: - **From Scratch** - **Duplicate from Same Project** (template approach) - **Duplicate from Another Project** (useful for migrating from a single-entity project) ![Add Business Unit](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Add%20Business%20Unit.png?width=688&height=191&name=Add%20Business%20Unit.png) > 💡 Duplicating without values lets you copy structure, groupings, and projection methods — but keeps historical data blank for new imports. --- ### 4️⃣ Importing Data For each business unit: - Import chart of accounts and historical data via: - **Excel** (departmental P&Ls, balance sheets) - **QuickBooks Online** - **Xero** Repeat for all business units: - **Sibling Business Unit** = same level - **Child Business Unit** = nested under another unit (multi-level consolidation) --- ### 5️⃣ Using Templates for Multiple Units Before duplicating a template unit: - Create **Account Groupings** (highlight accounts → right-click → Add Group Name). - Set **Projection Methods** and create **Assumptions Tabs** if consistent across units. Then: 1. Add Sibling Business Unit. 2. Duplicate from template unit. 3. Re-import unique historical data for the new unit. ![AddEdit Business Unit](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AddEdit%20Business%20Unit.png?width=557&height=525&name=AddEdit%20Business%20Unit.png) --- ### 6️⃣ Syncing and Consolidating Before consolidating: 1. In each child unit: **Menu → Utilities → Sync Data** (manual sync if you don’t want to wait for auto-sync). 2. In the consolidation unit: **Menu → Utilities → Consolidate**. Consolidation behavior: - If using account numbers → matches & sums by account number. - If not using account numbers → matches & sums by account description. ![Utilities](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Utilities.png?width=293&height=450&name=Utilities.png) --- ### 7️⃣ Managing Consolidated Accounts - Consolidated cells are **white** (non-editable, auto-calculated). - You can add **manual accounts** (yellow cells) for: - Intercompany eliminations - Hypothetical new revenue/expense items - Imported **balance sheet accounts** behave like normal child-unit accounts. --- ### 8️⃣ Reporting on Consolidations Reports can be run at: - **Child business unit level** - **Consolidated level** Default reports are included, but you can: 1. **Add Report** → choose name, chart type, data source, date range. 2. **Save & Add to List**. 3. Use [PlanGuru Advanced Reporting Excel Add-in](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online/excel-add-in-guide-for-planguru-app?hsLang=en) for cross-unit comparisons. ![Reports](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Reports.png?width=688&height=334&name=Reports.png) --- ### 🔄 File Structure in the Home Page From the **Home Page**: - Company → Projects → Business Units - Consolidated unit appears at the top; child units are indented below. - **Consolidate Button** available from Home screen. - **Green Check** = synced, **Red !** = needs sync. ![Home-Consolidation](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Home-Consolidation.png?width=688&height=285&name=Home-Consolidation.png) - [PlanGuru App (Online)](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Setup & Import](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#setup-import) - [Company Management](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#company-management) - [Forecasting & Modeling](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#forecasting-modeling) - [PlanGuru Analytics (powered by Reach Reporting)](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#planguru-analytics-powered-by-reach-reporting) - [Standard Reports](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#standard-reports) - [Updates](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-app-online?hsLang=en#updates) - [PlanGuru Desktop (Windows)](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Updates](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#updates) - [Getting Started](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [Navigating PlanGuru Desktop](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#navigating-planguru-desktop) - [Setup & Maintenance](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#setup-maintenance) - [QuickBooks Online Import](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#quickbooks-online-import) - [QuickBooks Desktop Import](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#quickbooks-desktop-import) - [Excel Import](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#excel-import) - [Analysis Setup](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#analysis-setup) - [Forecasting & Modeling](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#forecasting-modeling) - [Installation](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#installation) - [Licensing](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#licensing) - [Managing your PlanGuru Files](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#managing-your-planguru-files) - [Reporting](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#reporting) - [PlanGuru Analytics](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#planguru-analytics) - [Technical Inquiries](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#technical-inquiries) - [PlanGuru Desktop in Cloud Hosting](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#planguru-desktop-in-cloud-hosting) - [Advanced Reporting Excel Add-in](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-desktop-windows?hsLang=en#advanced-reporting-excel-add-in) - [PlanGuru University](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge/planguru-university?hsLang=en) - [PRODUCTS & PRICING](https://www.planguru.com/products/) - CUSTOMERS - [Small Businesses](https://www.planguru.com/users/small-business/) - [Nonprofits](https://www.planguru.com/users/nonprofit/) - [Accountants / Advisors](https://www.planguru.com/users/accountants-business-advisors/) - LEARNING - [Attend a Live Demo](https://www.planguru.com/products/planguru-webinar-signup/) - [PlanGuru University](https://www.planguru.com/planguru-university/) - [Sign Up for PGU](https://www.planguru.com/planguru-university/) - [PGU Class Materials & Recordings](https://www.planguru.com/planguru-university/class-materials/) - [Video Tutorials](https://www.planguru.com/learning-resources/learning-center/) - [Help Center](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge) - SUPPORT - [Help Center/ Submit a Ticket](https://help.planguru.com/knowledge) - [Downloads / Updates](https://www.planguru.com/support/downloads/) - [Try it FREE](https://www.planguru.com/products/trial/) [![logo\_PlanGuru\_190-1](https://help.planguru.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_PlanGuru_190-1.png?width=190&height=55&name=logo_PlanGuru_190-1.png "logo_PlanGuru_190-1")](https://www.planguru.com/) Copyright © 2025, PlanGuru