Screen Tips

All screens are consistent and yet every screen has its own individuality.

All Dashflow screens are listed below in alphabetical order by their name. Screen names are in upper case at the top centre of the device screen.

Check out screens that may be puzzling you.
Understand how to get any screen to work for you.
See current ideas for improvements.

Dashflow screens may not look exactly as shown in the images on this webpage for various reasons: •development is continuous so this page is always catching up to where the app has reached; •screen size also affects appearance; •actions on a screen can affect what is displayed.

Send in questions and suggestions via the form at the bottom of this webpage.

SEARCH
Locate key terms in titles within this page by using browser search. On a mobile device, access search in the Apple Uploader via the Share icon: "Find on Page" is a grey magnifying glass in the bottom row. On laptops or desktops, use the main menus e.g. Edit > Find or just hit Command (Control) + F. Try searching now for "event", "import", "ERV".

ASSUMPTIONS & OUTCOMES: Master Dashboard

This ASSUMPTIONS & OUTCOMES screen is your master dashboard. From here, you can access anything and everything about the deal for input or review.

Tips:

Bypass this screen from CASHFLOW via long presses.
Go to CASH FLOW by tapping logo on bottom right.
Check «equivalent yield» via Yield Analytics.

AUTHENTICATION

The screen that you see on first opening Dashflow or following logout. If you do not have a password, tap on User Registration to get one. Of course, you must be pre-authorised by your firm for registration to be activated.

Tips:

The email username is a business address.
The password requires at least 9 characters.
Tap on the eye icon to see your password and avoid mis-typing.

BREAK DATE

When you add a "Break date" event in LEASING DETAILS, a possible date is automatically inserted in the lease. You can change that date here.

Tips:

Activating the break reflects automatically in the cashflow.

CAPEX PROJECTS

CAPEX PROJECTS provides for major developments of the property. They can start at Day-1 and be completed before any Tenant Lease commences as part of a major re-development.

Tips:

Tap on Custom to modify Area for contract if your project does not involve the entire building.
Capex associated with unit refurbishment at lease expiry is handled in the TENANCY LIFECYCLE screen.
Capex from here and from refurbs is shown in the CASH FLOW screen.

CASH FLOW: Dynamic Dashboard

The CASH FLOW screen is your dynamic dashboard and the living beauty of the Dashflow system. The upper grey bars represent contracted income (i.e. including any rent-free amounts in green), while the number shown in the bar is actual income.

Tips:

Tap the guide icon to get a list of instant tips as to h ow to use this powerful dynamic dashboard.
A long press on most blue items takes you to a specific screen allowing precise adjustments and more details.
Focus on either the % (cap rate/NIY) or amount (price) by watching the surtitle: turn this ON or OFF in SETTINGS > PREFERENCES > Guides
You may not get absolute precision with swiping the circles (i.e. 45.1% when you want 45%) but the effect is slight and precision can be easily fixed via the Master Dashboard > PRICING & COSTS
Yields/Capex is a circular system: 1st tap takes you to Annual Yields, second tap takes you to Capex outgoings, third tap takes you back to Yields/Capex.
See details of Capex in any particular year by tapping on the value in that year.

Pricing via Cap Rate/NIY is based on Day-1 income. If there are many Day-1 vacancies, then this feature is affected. In such deals, it may be helpful to focus on Average Yield or Reversionary Yield.

CASH FLOW: Lease Events

This screen also allows you to review the Lease Events in each year of the holding period.

Tips:

Tap on any annual income column to see the Lease Events for that year. Tap again and they disappear.
Access and adjust leasing details of the tenancy by tapping the floors and units being leased.
Get an MS-Word listing of all lease events via EXPORT screen accessed from the Master Dashboard.

CASH FLOW: The Graph Colours

The Meaning of Colours in the Graph

Light Blue = income
Dark Blue = operating expenses, amortisation &c
Green = scheduled rent free value
Teal = interest payments
Red horizontal bars = quarters with capex payments.

CORPORATE REPOSITORY (for Systems of Default Values)

This screen shows all Systems of Default Values that have been created and stored for general use by everyone in the firm.

Tips:

All users within a customer-firm can import from the Repository.
Firms can use Device Settings to control whether a user is permitted to export to this Repository.

COVERAGE RATIO

This dynamic screen allows you to set the minimum ISCR covenant and then observe key data at any point during the hold period and for any length of time.

Tips:

Adjust the size and of the forward ISCR box by pinching and adjust its position by dragging.
Watch how the forward curve alters as you vary your pinch.
When you leave the screen, any breaches of the ISCR are shown on the LENDING screen.

DASH IMPORT

The DASH IMPORT screen results from a successful import of a rent roll (tenancy schedule). Importing tenancies demands a minimum of three basic items of lease information:

Tenant name
Area leased
Rent amount (either annual or psf/psm)

Vacancies must provide the Area to be leased and the ERV.

This graphic shows the use of Apple's uploader for an email file or AirDrop's "Open with" panel. See step by step importing instructions and more details in:
NEW DEAL: Cash Flow & Importing

Tips:

When importing a rent roll as an Excel .xlsx file, make sure your rent roll is on the first worksheet of the workbook.
Tap on See Warnings to get an idea of how the input will model the deal. Then save those warnings for later review in the MEMO screen.

DEAL SELECTION

Use this screen to select one or all deals on a device when you want to back up or transfer to another device of yours.

Tips:

Tap the circle in the header position to select all deals.
Allow a minute or two for the deal to appear in the STORAGE MANAGEMENT screen of a different device.
If you have many deals, use the sort facility.
Dashflow recognises deals within a device and across devices by their Creation Date—which never changes. (Names or reference codes may be changed.)

DEAL SETTINGS

Use this screen to get some fundamental info on the deal, to change the name or code, to change reporting of key parameters, and to alter Day-1.

Tips:

The default NIY or Cap Rate for all deals is set in SETTINGS > PREFERENCES. This feature lets you over-ride (or correct) that setting for any particular deal either temporarily or permanently.

DEBT FACILITIES : Gearing

DEBT FACILITIES allows for precise adjustment of figures following play on the CASH FLOW screen. Change either the LTV or the Lump Sum.

Tips:

For smaller sums use the rotary wheel, while for larger sums (like Day-1 amounts ) the number pad is best.
When 360-day year is switched on, the nominal interest per annum is not the actual interest per annum.

Coming soon:

Floating interest rates
Mezzanine & Junior loans

DEFAULTS MANAGEMENT

DEFAULTS MANAGEMENT allows you to create and manage a variety of systems of DEFAULT VALUES (v.i.). These system will capture qualities of a particular location or of particular asset feature (e.g. new build versus old build). The firm can control standardisation by using MDM to control access to the CORPORATE REPOSITORY.

Tips:

Export to the Corporate Repository via the Edit mode. .
Import using the standard screen.

Coming soon:

Sharing systems of defaults outside the firm.

DEFAULT VALUES

DEFAULT VALUES can be created in sets or systems defined by a particular location or a particular asset feature. The screen always provides the name of the system...at right it is "London" above and "PHILADELPHIA" below.

Getting these systems named well and completing the values effectively is the secret to quality and efficiency of the Dashflow modelling.

Tips:

Changes to default values only apply to new deals: they must be entered in advance to be usable.
Almost any default value can be altered within the deal: but not the basics like country or currency.

Coming soon:

Additional defaults as and when appropriate to support new features.

DEVICE SETTINGS

This screen is not inside the Dashflow app: it is part of the iOS device Settings. The screenshot at right is from an iPhone, and the iPad is similar. This screen is directly accessible from the iOS Settings as well as from Dashflow SETTINGS, and from various popups within the app.

The cloud availability settings are always OFF by default. Because this screen can be accessed directly without opening Dashflow, it may be used for MDM control of cloud availability.

EXPIRY DATE

Expiry date of a lease is self-explanatory. The expiry date should not be set prior to Day-1 to ensure you can generate a DashModel. Tenancy of the Unit(s) in such a case should be set as one or more Vacancies.

If leases do have their expiry dates before Day-1, the app will accept this and calculate using TENANCY LIFECYCLE assumptions, but the DashModel will not be generated.

Tips:

You can either change the date via the date picker or the bar selector or by setting the Lease Term.

EXPORT: Sharing Deal Files | DashModel Excel Workbook | Appraisal Documentation

EXPORT files may be created in native format (like .xlsx, .pptx) and can be opened in those apps on your device. Documents created in .xml format (that open in .xlsx or .doc &c) are desktop only until mobile versions of MS-Office are upgraded by Microsoft.

Tips:

The deal file is .dfd format, and this cannot be read by any application other than Dashflow. So you can only send the Dashflow™ Deal File to someone who also has the Dashflow app on their device.
DashModels™ are complicated workbooks. If the deal is simple, formation may take only 15 seconds. If the deal is complicated (many leases, gearing, profit-sharing &c), expect the process to take 60 seconds or even longer.

Coming soon:

Export of additional useful transaction documents.

When colleagues import your .dfd deal file, they do so in the same way that a rent roll is imported. But in this case the new file is automatically sent to SAVED DEALS with a creation date determined by the time of importing. If by some chance, the original name already exists, an additional numeral is added to differentiate.
Play it safe! Ensure you and your colleague are both using the same (and the latest) Dashflow version.

FEEDBACK via INSTABUG

INSTABUG is an immediate 3rd-party in-built method for feedback to supplement emails to [email protected]. It provides both a screenshot you can annotate and video.

Tips:

Shake your device to report bugs or submit feedback on any screen at that moment and the popup shown appears.
Select and then draw on the screenshot provided and describe in the email that opens.
Since iOS 11, video screen recording (saved in your Photos) is easy. This is often the best way to demonstrate your issue when you send it to us.

Sometimes this popup is irritating: unfortunately we cannot control its unrequested appearances! Just tap anywhere and it will go away!

FIXED UPLIFT

When you add a Fixed Uplift event in LEASING DETAILS, a possible date and new rental value are automatically inserted in the lease. You can change those values here.

Tips:

You can either change the psf/psm rent via the number picker or the yearly rental using the field provided.

FLOOR SIZES 2/5

FLOOR SIZES will allow you to enter different floor areas. The default selection is every floor set to the same size.

Tips:

Specify floor area by rotating the wheel or tapping the central button for a number pad.

Tap the graphic to get vertical sliders which let you select any single floor or multiple adjacent floors and then adjust those only. Repeat as often as needed.

FOOTPRINTS: SHAPES & LAYOUTS 1/5

FOOTPRINTS suitable for industrial estates and retail parks are coming in Dashflow v1.9. The opening screen provides you with your first building labelled A. You adjust the layout and add other footprints as required.

Provide for 2 floors by pushing 2 identical footprints together and use the labelling as shown in the screenshot.

Tips:

Tap the Guide icon for a list of things you can do and how to do them.
If your estate is simple, keep the buildings on the left half of the screen.

FOOTPRINTS: AREAS 2/5

FOOTPRINTS suitable for industrial estates and retail parks are coming in Dashflow v1.9. The second screen requires you to enter areas.

Tips:

Tap the Guide icon for assistance.
Be sure to select and deselect units: the value on the wheel will apply to all selected (blue) footprints.

FOOTPRINTS: RENTAL VALUES 3/5

FOOTPRINTS suitable for industrial estates and retail parks are coming in Dashflow v1.9. The third screen provides for the actual rent and the market rent.

Tips:

Tap the Guide icon for assistance.
To have the choice of entering values via the annual total tap on the central blue circle to get a popup and the number pad.
Be sure to select and deselect units: the value on the wheel will apply to all selected (blue) footprints.

FOOTPRINTS: BUILDING UNITS 4/5

FOOTPRINTS suitable for industrial estates and retail parks are coming in Dashflow v1.9. The fourth screen provides for the definition of Unit numbers, with a default of 1. The appropriate orientation can be set with a tap on the building icon.
Tips:

Tap the Guide icon for a list of things you can do and how to do them.
Be sure to select and deselect units: the value on the wheel will apply to all selected (blue) footprints.

FOOTPRINTS: LEASING DETAILS 5/5

FOOTPRINTS suitable for industrial estates and retail parks are coming in Dashflow v1.9. The final screen will centre your graphics in the left section to best effect: which usually means a rotation.

The right half of the screen operates virtually identically to the Stacking Plan screen. The usual rule to allocate all Units in order to reach CASH FLOW applies.

Tips:

Tap the Guide icon for a list of things you can do and how to do them.
For clearer visibility of Unit numbers and ease of tapping, use the zoom as shown in the lower screenshot.

GROWTH PATTERNS

GROWTH PATTERNS is where you can create and adjust assumptions about growth in the ERV (market rates) and other expenses or income (but not rents v.i.)

Use "Escalation" (Add Event) in LEASING DETAILS or "Yearly Increase" in TENANCY LIFECYCLE to enable growth in rents.

Tips:

The Total growth is calculated in terms of the Hold Period for the deal: 10 years in the examples at right.
Provide for negative growth only by using the calculator numberpad, not the rotary wheel.
A default GROWTH PATTERN can be pre-set in SETTINGS > DEFAULT MANAGEMENT > DEFAULT VALUES.
Use the Indexation event or Fixed Uplifts in LEASING DETAILS to apply periodic growth to the actual rents.

HOME

The HOME screen is the opening screen once you have logged in and where you logout from.

It is one of the 4 system screens that are the context for deal appraisals. Each gives access to the other three—in this case to: SETTINGS, SAVED DEALS, NEW DEAL.

Tips:

Dashflow automatically logs you out every 14 days. This is a security feature and cannot be altered.
Tap on /~Dashflow™ to see the Version you are using.

IMPORT CHECK

The IMPORT CHECK screen allows you to correct errors in the import process, whether due to Dashflow, to file spelling errors or to unusual column headers. If that option appears to be available, Dashflow will advise you as shown in the top screenshot.

Click OK and proceed as follows:

Check in the top grey box for lines in dark green font specifying how headers are currently assigned to Dashflow fields. You usually need to scroll to see all rows.
Remove any rows that you judge are incorrect so that those two fields become available for re-assignment within the lower two boxes.
From the left lower box, select (tap) a rent roll column header to assign, and then tap the corresponding Dashflow field in the right lower box.
Those two selections will appear in the two fields in the centre of the screen, inviting confirmation or deletion.
If the assignment is correct, tap OK. The assignment moves to the top grey area in black font as shown in the bottom image and the fields go blank.
Repeat assignments as often as necessary and possible.
Tap Next to continue the import process and proceed to the DASH IMPORT screen.

LEASE INFO

LEASE INFO only provides information on one particular lease. It is accessed indirectly via tapping on a Tenancy associated with one of the Lease Events in the CASH FLOW screen, or from a tenancy listed in the TENANCY LIFECYCLE or TOP TENANTS.

Tips:

You can add events or change info relevant to that tenant, but if you want full editing capabilities for the property, use LEASING DETAILS 5/5 (accessed from the Dashboard).
If you delete the Tenancy or a Unit from the Tenancy, there will be a warning icon in the Master Dashboard.

LEASING DETAILS 5/5: Overview

LEASING DETAILS is directly created via the Property Plan wizard. If you have imported the Rent Roll (Tenancy Schedule), then you can access it directly from the Master Dashboard.

See: Lease Info
See: Tenancy
See: Day-1 Vacancy

Tips:

You cannot exit this screen unless every unit (U) is converted either to a tenancy (T) or a vacancy (V).
If you tap on one of the Leases in the list on the R side, or on one of the units on the L side, the Leasing Details will open and all its units will be highlighted.
Every text item in blue is alterable, and many Events or Leases entered in error can be deleted by swiping from the right to the left.
There is no value on this screen that cannot be altered. But be careful altering floor areas.
Provide a rent-free period for a current lease with that privilege or for a new lease (not a re-letting) that starts at or after Day-1 by creating an artificial deferred Start date.
Flicking your finger upwards selects all remaining units and flicking your finger downwards unselects them.

See below: LEASING DETAILS: Editing ....

For adding units to a completed lease.
For altering units or floors in a completed property plan.

LEASING DETAILS 5/5: «Add Event» Button

The Add Event button only appears when a lease is being created or is being inspected here or in LEASE INFO. Use this feature to incorporate common extra features of leases in a particular tenancy.

"Escalation" is now used instead of "Indexation" for simple regular increases in rent.

Tips:

The rent-free period in the deal (or "current rent-free") is calculated from Day-1 and the rent-free period specified in the lease, which you can input here.
Break, Review & Uplift events can be added multiple times. Escalation can be added only once.
Selection of an event immediately inserts possible values in the leasing details for that tenant. Those values, which are probably not exactly what you want, can be altered in their own screen.

Coming soon:

Combination of escalation with reviews.
Indexation: e.g. CPI link, "German", cap-and-collar etc.

In the current version: once Escalation is chosen, certain other events cannot be chosen. You may prefer to use multiple reviews or uplifts instead as a workaround in such cases.

LEASING DETAILS 5/5: Alter Unit Values

Tap on the values of any Unit in a lease to generate a popup as shown at right, that lets you select the detail to adjust. This is useful as part of the initial Wizard process; or you may need to make changes later when returning to this screen from Tenancy Lifecycle or the Master Dashboard.

Tips:

The wizard is designed for quick entry of approximate figures--although you can be more precise there if you wish.
Be careful when making Area changes to one Unit on a floor as this may affect the area of other Units.

LEASING DETAILS 5/5: Editing the Property Plan in a Zoom State

Editing a completed property plan or adding a Unit to a completed lease requires the graphic to be in the zoom state. The zoom (+) icon is visible when no Tenancy Lease table is open.

•In zoom, the floor numbers (or building letters in footprints) all become blue and large. Edit the stacking plan level by level; and edit the footprints building by building. Tap on the blue item you want to alter and then select the required alteration. In the graphic, L5 is being edited.

•If you touch and hold a Unit that has not been assigned, the background goes green and a popup shows leases available for editing. Tap to select or deselect other unassigned Units to add to a particular lease. Then select the lease in the popup on the right and tap on Apply.