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Forecast Type Filters Cannot Be Edited After Activation; Custom Columns Lock Forecast Settings Once Added

Publish Date: May 11, 2026
Description
Pipeline forecast types in Salesforce have some important constraints: once a forecast type is activated, its filter definitions are locked and cannot be edited. Custom calculated columns can be added at any time, but once added, forecast settings become locked and can no longer be changed. If your forecast type includes incorrect filters or needs to be reconfigured, you must create a new forecast type and migrate your data.
 
Filter Definitions Are Immutable After Activation

When you activate a forecast type, Salesforce locks the filter definition that determines which opportunity records the forecast type includes. This is by design: changing filters on an active forecast type would invalidate historical forecast data and rollups, so the platform prevents it.

Adding Custom Columns Locks Forecast Settings
Custom calculated columns can be added to a forecast type at any time. However, once a custom column is added, the forecast settings become locked and can no longer be edited. Orphaned custom columns from deactivated forecast types can also cause errors when configuring forecast settings.

Resolution
Step 1: If you need to change a filter — recreate the forecast type
  1. Export your existing forecast adjustment data from the forecast type using Data Loader or Workbench before making any changes.
  2. Deactivate the existing forecast type in Setup > Forecasts Settings.
  3. Create a new forecast type with the correct filter definition and all desired custom columns (columns must be added now, before activation).
  4. Activate the new forecast type.
  5. Reimport the exported forecast adjustment data mapped to the new forecast type ID.
The new forecast type does not contain historical forecast data from the old type. Export forecast data before deactivating the old type if historical data is needed.
 
Step 2: If you need to add a custom column to an active forecast type
Custom columns can be added to an already-activated forecast type at any time. However, once added, forecast settings become locked and can no longer be edited. Note that if custom columns reference the quota column, show quotas cannot be disabled.

Each forecast type supports a maximum of five custom columns, including Gap to Quota and Pipe Coverage columns if quota data is loaded. Custom calculated columns do not reflect changes in the last 7 days and are not included in rollups.
 
Step 3: If you see errors caused by orphaned custom columns

If you receive errors in Forecast Settings related to custom columns from old deactivated forecast types:

  1. Use Workbench or Data Loader to query the ForecastingType and related custom column objects to identify orphaned columns linked to deactivated forecast types.
  2. Delete the orphaned columns via Workbench.
  3. Return to Forecast Settings and retry your configuration.
Additional Resources

Can I edit the filter on a forecast type without recreating it?

No. Filter definitions on forecast types are immutable once the type is activated. There is no way to edit the filter without creating a new forecast type. This is a platform constraint, not a permissions issue.

I need to exclude Closed Lost opportunities from my forecast but my forecast type is already active. What are my options?

Closed Lost opportunities should be excluded from forecasts by ensuring the Opportunity Forecast Category field is set to Omitted on those records. Verify that any Closed Lost opportunities have their Forecast Category set to Omitted — this is typically driven by the stage-to-forecast-category mapping in your pipeline configuration. Have the admin check that the Closed Lost stage is correctly mapped to the Omitted forecast category in the opportunity's stage settings, so those records are automatically excluded from rollups.

I deactivated a forecast type but still see errors about its custom columns. How do I clear these?

Deactivated forecast types retain their custom column configurations and can cause errors in Forecast Settings. Use Workbench to query and delete the orphaned columns associated with the deactivated type. This is a known cleanup step after deactivating forecast types.

Pipeline Forecast Types

Considerations for Custom Calculated Columns in Pipeline Forecasts

Custom Columns Error When Editing Forecast Settings (000395092)

Forecast Category Mapping

Knowledge Article Number

005321977

 
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