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FORECAST.ETS has been the same for the last few years. Does anyone actually use it for serious forecasting?

Our take

The persistent use of Excel's FORECAST.ETS for time series forecasting raises intriguing questions about its effectiveness in serious applications. Despite having relied on this built-in tool for years, many users have noticed its stagnation: a single algorithm, lack of outlier handling, and no support for multivariate forecasting. For those who incorporate it into their planning processes, what specific functions do you fulfill with FORECAST.ETS? Are its limitations a challenge or an acceptable simplicity?

Been doing time series forecasting professionally for 5 years. Recently went back to look at Excel's built-in FORECAST.ETS out of curiosity and was surprised how little has changed — single algorithm, no outlier handling, no multivariate forecasting.

For anyone using it day-to-day I'm genuinely curious:

1) What do you actually use it for — one-off estimates, or is it baked into a real planning process?
2) Where does it break down most often for you?
3) Is the simplicity the point — i.e. you want something your whole team can understand and audit — or is it a limitation you've just learned to live with?
4) Has anyone layered external variables into their Excel forecasting (promo data, weather, macro indicators)? How'd you handle it?

Not trying to sell anything — just surprised this hasn't evolved and curious if others feel the same friction.

submitted by /u/TheSavage1996
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