Using Estimates

With the exception of protected fields, you can enter estimates in all numeric fields on the detail level on government forms and on worksheets to flag an amount as an estimate instead of a confirmed value.

When working with government forms, click to move to a detail level. You can also use the Link to Worksheet button,, to move to the appropriate worksheet and enter the estimate there.

ClosedMark an amount as an estimate.

To flag a value as an estimated amount, do the following:

  1. Open a detail government form or a worksheet and select the amount field where you want to enter the estimate.
  2. Enter an amount in the field.
  3. Right-click and select Estimate from the menu or click  in the Insert group on the Home tab to display the Estimate window.
  4. Modify the caption with a different description to help identify the estimate.
  5. Click OK.

Press Tab after entering the estimate. The text is orange to indicate the amount is an estimate.

ClosedClear an estimate.

After you clear an estimate, the amount remains and can be changed from data entry or a calculation.

Important: The Clear Estimate command is not reversible. When you clear estimates, you cannot automatically return the amounts to be marked as estimates.

To clear an estimate value in a selected field, do the following:

  1. Open a detail government form or a worksheet and select the estimate you want to clear.
  2. Right-click and select Estimate from the menu or click  in the Insert group on the Home tab to display the Estimate window.
  3. Click Clear Estimate,, to remove the estimate.

Press Tab after clearing the estimate. The text changes from orange to the default font color, indicating the amount is no longer an estimate.

ClosedClear all estimates in a tax return.

You can remove all estimates in a tax return using a single command. After clearing all estimates, the amounts remain and can be changed from data entry or a calculation.

Important: The All Estimates command is not reversible. When you clear estimates, you cannot automatically return the amounts to be marked as estimates.

To clear all estimates in a tax return, do the following:

  1. Open a detail government form or a worksheet containing estimates.
  2. Click All Estimates, , in the Delete group on the Review tab.
  3. Click Yes to clear all the estimates in the return.

Note: For information about printing and reviewing estimates, see Printing Estimates and Reviewing the Field Estimate Report.