Solve the "What-if" Problem in Microsoft Excel

Easily calculate required inputs using Goal-Seek

Have you ever wanted to find a value you have to get in Microsoft Excel for something? That is, what sales do you need to generate $10,000 in revenues? Instead of going through trial and error manually, Goal Seek does it for you.

Goal Seek is a powerful built-in feature for what-if analysis that helps you solve for unknown inputs when you already know the desired result. It is most suited for forecasting, financial modelling, and data-driven decision-making.

🎯 What Is Goal Seek in Excel?

Backs out a formula by changing one input value to hit a target value. It answers the query: "What input is needed to get this result?"

They prepare forecasts for:

• Financial planning scenarios
• Setting sales objectives
• Budgeting scenarios
• Loan and investment analysis

🧭 How to Use Goal Seek-Step-by-Step

Let's walk through a true situation: how much sales are needed for a revenue goal of $10,000?

Assume Price and Quantity are the two variables in the simple formula:

  = Price * Quantity

Step 1: Set up the sheet

Step 2: Use Goal Seek

1. Go to Data -> What-If Analysis -> Goal Seek

2. In the dialog box:

• Set cell: Select the formula cell (e.g., Revenue in B3)
• To value: Enter your target value (e.g., 10000)
• By changing cell: Select the cell you want Excel to adjust (e.g., Quantity in B2)

3. Click OK

Excel will iterate and find the exact quantity needed to reach $10,000 in revenue.

💼 Practical Application for Goal Seek in Excel

• Put it to use for loan payments: What monthly payment would see to an eventual payoff?
• Pricing purposes: Package in a price per unit to bring in the price on a target basis
• Weight loss or fitness goals: Computing how many weeks it will take to shed the specific weight
• Sales planning: Set quantity targets for the product to meet quantity targets

💡 Tips for Better Goal Seek Results

• The target cell must contain a formula.
• Only one input cell can be changed at a time.
• Use multiple Goal Seek analyses for different scenarios.
• For more complex problems, look into the Solver Add-in for Excel.

Goal Seek is a tool for any person who works with formulas and targets in Microsoft Excel. Whether you are involved in budgeting forecasts, planning sales, or setting personal goals, Goal Seek transforms your "what if" questions into data-based answers - quick and accurate.

Try now! You will see what future-oriented calculations do!

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• 🌐 Visit our Other Levels Website

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