Help & answers

Frequently asked questions.

Everything about how WhifCal works, what the documents do, and how plans, data, and privacy are handled. Can't find it? We're one message away.

01 — Getting started

Getting started

What is WhifCal, in one sentence?

See your real business whole, turn a private copy of it as many ways as you need, and decide only when a turn holds.

What does WhifCal do?

WhifCal turns your numbers and your thinking into one connected map — change an assumption and watch everything it affects move with it, or ask a what-if question and see the answer take shape.

How is this different from a spreadsheet?

In a spreadsheet, a number sits alone in a cell. In WhifCal, every value carries what it depends on and where it came from. You can follow any value to its source and see what else would move if you changed it — and the moment you change an assumption, the outcome updates on its own.

Do I need to be technical to use it?

No. If you can keep a spreadsheet, you can use WhifCal. You start by dropping in a CSV you already keep, and WhifCal connects it into a structure you can use right away — no formulas to wire up by hand.

What can I build on my first day?

Most people start with a base document — a Worksheet for quick sums, or a Plan where smaller numbers roll up into bigger totals. From there you can layer in a Decision Map or a Scenario when you're ready. There are templates for common starting points.

Is there a free trial?

WhifCal (Lite) — a lightweight version built for iPhone — is coming soon to the App Store. In the meantime, reach out and we'll help you find the best way to get started.

02 — Documents

Documents

What is a Decision Map?

A Decision Map keeps your numbers and your thinking together and connects them. Every value carries what it depends on and where it came from, so you can trace any outcome back to its source — and see what would move if you changed an assumption.

What is the Scenario Playground?

Ask a question in plain words — like how margins move if costs rise in one region — and WhifCal builds the scenario for you. Move the numbers in the Playground and the outcome shifts as you go. When you're ready to decide, set two scenarios side by side and compare.

What base documents are included?

Four document types cover everyday planning:

  • Worksheets — a single-column sheet for quick sums.
  • Plans — a nested calculator where smaller numbers roll up into totals.
  • Linear Flow Maps — map a process from start to finish.
  • Idea Maps — a space to think out loud, where ideas branch and connect.
Where do Decision Maps and Scenarios live?

On the web. They're large-canvas work made for full-size screens, where you can actually see a big structure. The base documents work on both iPhone and the web, in dark or light mode.

03 — Data & import

Data & import

How do I get my data in?

Upload a CSV you already keep. WhifCal connects it into a structure you can use right away, and every value traces back to the file it came from. You can re-upload to update documents as your data changes.

Does WhifCal make up numbers or estimates?

No. The values in your documents are real values — not scores or estimates the app invented. WhifCal answers questions using the data and structure you give it. It can't tell you about a business you haven't described to it, but once you have, it shows you what you couldn't see before.

Can I connect live data through an API?

Today, every plan uses CSV upload — practical for teams running a regular analysis, and you can re-upload any time to refresh your documents. Direct API access for near real-time data is coming soon.

What are Global Values?

A shared number you set once — like a discount rate or a headcount — and every document that uses it updates on its own. Change it in one place and your plans, maps, and scenarios all stay consistent.

04 — Collaboration

Collaboration

Can my team work in the same document at once?

Yes. Work on the same document at the same time as your team, with everyone seeing changes as they happen.

Can I keep some numbers private?

Permission control goes down to a single node, so sensitive values like salary data stay restricted while the rest of the document stays open to the team.

How do I keep a big document readable?

Use Filters. Surface the nodes you care about with label and color filters and focus on the part that matters now. WhifCal also keeps a full history of your changes and organizes work into folders.

05 — Plans & billing

Plans & billing

Which plan should I start on?

Professionals is the recommended starting point — it's built for consultants, analysts, and founders who model decisions themselves, and it's the first plan to include Decision Maps and Scenario Playground. See the full breakdown on the Plans & Pricing page.

If I start on Lite, can I upgrade?

Absolutely. When you move up to a Professional or Teams plan, we'll credit the unused part of your current month toward your new subscription, so the days you've already paid Apple for aren't wasted. One thing to know: WhifCal (Lite) is billed by Apple, not by us, so you'll need to cancel it on your end first. Once it's cancelled, we'll apply the remaining credit for the month to your upgraded plan.

Can I change plans later?

Yes, at any time. Your documents and structure come with you, and when you upgrade mid-cycle you only pay the difference for the remaining term.

06 — Privacy & security

Privacy & security

Who can see my data?

Only the people you share a document with. Inside a document, node-level permissions let you restrict sensitive values to specific people while keeping the rest open.

Is my data used to answer questions for other people?

No. WhifCal answers questions using the data and structure inside your own documents. Your numbers are yours.

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