Explain how to use Excel's 'FORECAST.ETS' function for predictive analysis.
Instruction: Provide an example of how the 'FORECAST.ETS' function can be used to predict future values based on historical data.
Context: This question evaluates the candidate's understanding of Excel's predictive analysis capabilities, specifically focusing on time series forecasting.
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Use FORECAST.ETS in a supported desktop Excel version with equally spaced observations and aligned numeric values. Aggregate events to the intended period first, define missing versus zero values, and inspect the history for breaks and seasonality.
For a quarterly teaching example, put period indices 1–20 in A2:A21 and sales in B2:B21. Put 21 in A22...