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Goal Seek in Excel

Last Updated : 04 Aug, 2025
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Excel’s Goal Seek is your go-to tool for solving “what-if” scenarios, effortlessly finding the exact input needed for a desired formula result. Whether calculating loan payments, hitting sales targets, or determining break-even points, Goal Seek simplifies complex analyses.

How Does Goal Seek Work in Microsoft Excel

Goal Seek in Excel works by adjusting an input value to achieve a specific result in a formula. Here’s how its mechanics are broken down:

  • Set Cell: The cell that contains the formula or the result you want to reach.
  • To Value: The target value you want to achieve in the formula.
  • By Changing Cell: The input cell that Goal Seek will adjust to reach the target value.

For Example, if you want to find the interest rate needed to achieve a specific loan payment, Goal Seek will adjust the interest rate (input) until the formula matches your desired payment (target value). It’s a quick and precise way to solve reverse calculations in Excel.

How to Use Goal Seek in Excel 365 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Goal Seek in Excel adjusts an input value to achieve a specific target in a formula. Simply set the desired result, and Excel calculates the required input automatically. Follow the below steps to learn how to use Goal Seek in Excel:

Step 1: Set Up Your Data

  • Enter your formula in a cell.
  • Make sure the formula cell reflects the result you want to manipulate.

In the below example, You want to save $10,000 in 24 months, and you want to calculate how much you need to save each month to meet this goal.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Set up your Data

Step 2: Open Goal Seek

  • Go to the Data tab in the Ribbon.
  • Click What-If Analysis and select Goal Seek from the dropdown

Pro Tip: Use Alt + A, followed by W, and then G as a shortcut to open Goal Seek quickly.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Go to Data Tab >> Select What-if-Analysis

Step 3: Fill Out the Goal Seek Dialog Box

  • Set Cell: Select the cell that contains the formula.
  • To Value: Enter the target value you want to achieve.
  • By Changing Cell: Select the cell that Excel should adjust to reach the target.
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Fill the Values

Step 4: Run Goal Seek and Review Results

Click OK, and Excel will calculate the necessary input value. The adjusted input will appear in the selected cell. Verify the solution to ensure it meets your needs, and if needed, adjust your data or formula and run Goal Seek again.

Note: Goal seek works with only one variable input at given time. You can use the Solver in Excel for multiple input values.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Fill Out the Goal Seek Dialog Box>> Run Goal Seek

Excel Goal Seek Examples

Here are some practical Excel Goal Seek examples to help you understand how to use this tool for solving real-world problems.

Example 1: Calculating the Rate of Interest

Scenario: You need to calculate the rate of interest when the principal amount, time period, and simple interest are already known.

Given Data:

PrincipalTimeSimple InterestRate
$2,0003 years$6,000?

Step 1: Enter the Data

Open Excel and enter the given values (e.g., Principal in B2, Time in B3, Simple Interest in B5).

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Enter the Data

Step 2: Write the formula

In B5, write the formula for Simple Interest.

=B2 * B3 * B4
  • B4 will be the rate of interest we need to calculate.
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Write the formula

Step 3: Open Goal Seek

Go to the Data tab, select What-If Analysis, and click Goal Seek.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Open Goal Seek

Step 4: Set the Parameters

  • Set cell: Select the cell containing the Simple Interest formula (B5).
  • To value: Enter 6000 (the desired result).
  • By changing cell: Select the cell where the interest rate is calculated (B4).
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Set the Parameters

Step 5: Run Goal Seek and Preview the Result

Click OK, and Excel will calculate the interest rate. The result will be displayed in cell B4 for your review.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Preview the Result

Things to Remember:

  • The Set Cell must contain a formula.
  • There must be a dependency between the Set Cell and the Changing Cell.
  • Avoid using special characters or invalid entries in the Changing Cell.

Example 2: Determining a Missing Value to Achieve a Target Total

Scenario: Calculate a missing value so that the sum equals 303.

Step 1: Enter the Values

Input the known values in separate cells and leave the missing value cell blank.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Enter the Values

Step 2: Write the SUM Formula

In a cell (e.g., B7), write the formula to calculate the total.

=SUM(B2:B6)
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Write the SUM Formula

Step 3: Open Goal Seek

Click on the Data tab, select What-If Analysis, and choose Goal Seek.

Step 4: Set the Parameters

  • Set cell: Select the cell containing the SUM formula (e.g., B7).
  • To value: Enter 303 (the desired total).
  • By changing cell: Select the blank cell where the missing value will go (e.g., B6).
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Set the Parameters

Step 5: Run Goal Seek

Click OK to calculate the missing value.

Step 6: Preview the Result

Excel will calculate and display the missing value (e.g., 89 for Unit 5).

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Preview the Result

Example 3: Finding Missing Marks for a Student’s Average

Scenario: You need to calculate the marks required in a specific subject for a student to achieve a final average of 83.

Step 1: Enter the Data

Input the student’s marks for other subjects in separate cells and leave the missing subject cell blank.

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Enter the Data

Step 2: Write the Average Formula

In a cell (e.g., B7), write the formula to calculate the average:

=AVERAGE(B2:B6)

Step 3: Open Goal Seek

Go to the Data tab, click on What-If Analysis, and select Goal Seek.

Step 4: Set the Parameters

  • Set cell: Select the cell containing the formula for the average (e.g., B7).
  • To value: Enter 83 (the desired average).
  • By changing cell: Select the blank cell for the missing subject’s marks (e.g., B6).
Use Goal Seek in Excel
Set the Parameters

Step 5: Run Goal Seek

Click OK to calculate the required marks.

Step 6: Preview the Result

Excel will display the required marks in B6 (e.g., 74).

Use Goal Seek in Excel
Preview the Result

Excel Goal Seek Not Working

If Excel's Goal Seek function fails or shows errors like "Goal Seeking may not have found a solution," it usually indicates an issue with the setup or formula. Here are some troubleshooting tips to resolve common Goal Seek errors:

1. Verify Your Goal Seek Setup

  • Set Cell: Ensure the cell contains a formula that calculates the desired outcome.
  • Changing Cell: Confirm the cell directly or indirectly influences the formula in the Set Cell.
  • Logical Relationship: Check if the relationship between the Set Cell and Changing Cell is correctly defined.

2. Adjust Iteration Settings

  • Go to File > Options > Formulas:
    • Increase Maximum Iterations: Allows Excel to perform more calculations to find a solution.
    • Decrease Maximum Change: Improves precision for complex or sensitive formulas.

3. Check for Circular References

  • Circular references occur when formulas depend on their own results.
  • Eliminate these by ensuring no cell indirectly refers back to itself.

4. Validate Input and Output Ranges

  • Ensure your input (Changing Cell) allows valid values that the formula can process.
  • For example, Goal Seek cannot work with inputs that result in errors like #DIV/0!.

5. Simplify the Formula

  • If the formula in the Set Cell is overly complex or contains multiple dependencies, break it into smaller steps for easier troubleshooting.

6. Confirm the Solution Exists

  • Ensure that the desired output (To Value) is mathematically achievable based on the formula and input constraints.
  • For Example, a negative number may not work for a loan interest rate calculation.

7. Use an Alternative Tool

  • If Goal Seek still fails, consider using Solver, which can handle multiple variables and constraints for more complex scenarios.

Tips for Using Goal Seek Effectively

  • Use Clear Labels: Ensure your dataset is well-labeled for easy reference.
  • Check Your Formula: Make sure the formula correctly links the input and output values.
  • Start with Realistic Values: Provide a reasonable starting point for Goal Seek to improve accuracy.
  • Test Different Scenarios: Use Goal Seek with varying target values to explore multiple outcomes.

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