Quick Tip: Use data tables to explore results of

changing one or two variables. Use Scenarios if

you want to change more than two variables.

Module Nine: Using What If Analysis

“What-if” analysis allows you to have Excel change the values in cells so that you can see how those
changes affect the formulas outcomes. There are three kinds of what if analysis: goal seek, scenarios,
and data tables. Goal seek allows you to find the necessary value for an unknown in a formula to obtain
desired results. Scenarios allow you to view multiple different possible results for up to 32 variables.
Data tables allow you to quickly calculate multiple results for one or two variables in one operation. You
can view and compare the results of all the different variations together on your worksheet. This
module introduces these tools.

Using Goal Seek

To use goal seek, use the following procedure.

1. When using goal seek, one value from a formula should be left blank.
2. Select the Data tab from the Ribbon.
3. Select What If Analysis.
4. Select Goal Seek.

Excel displays the Goal Seek dialog box.

5. In the Set Cell field, enter or select from the worksheet the cell that contains the formula. In the
sample file, select $B$4.
6. In the To Value field, enter the formula result you want. For example, in the sample file, you
may want the resulting payment of $900. You would enter -900 because it is a payment.
7. In the By Changing Cell field, enter or select the reference for the cell that contains the value
you don’t know. In the sample file, this is $B$3.

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 8. Select OK.

Excel displays the Goal Seek Status dialog box. Select OK to close it.

You may need to reformat the cell with the new answer to view the answer in the preferred format.

Using the Scenario Manager

To add a scenario, use the following procedure.

1. Select the Data tab from the Ribbon.

2. Select What If Analysis.
3. Select Scenario Manager.

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 4. In the Scenario Manager dialog box, select Add to create a new scenario.

5. In the Add Scenario dialog box, enter a Scenario Name.

6. In the Changing Cells field, enter (or select from the worksheet) the multiple cells of changing
values in the first scenario. Press the CTRL key while selecting each value.
7. Enter a Comment, if desired.
8. Protect the scenario by checking the Prevent changes and/or the Hide boxes.
9. Select OK.

10. The Scenario values dialog box shows the values you selected.
 For the original scenario, keep the values Excel displays.
 For each subsequent scenario, enter the new values.

11. Select Add to create another set of values. If you have finished adding all the possibilities, select
OK to return to the Scenario Manager.

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 12. Repeat steps 4 through 10 to create another scenario.

13. On the Scenario Manager dialog box, you can select a scenario name and select Show to see the
results. The contents of the cells change, depending on which scenario you select and show. To
view a report, select Summary.

Excel displays the Scenario Summary dialog box.

14. Indicate whether Excel should display the Scenario Summary or a Scenario PivotTable Report.
15. Select the cell that contains the results you want to compare (or the formula cell).
16. Select OK.

Excel displays your results in the selected format.

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Using a One Input Data Table
To set up a one-input data table, use the following procedure.

1. Enter the known values that the formula will use in evaluating the variable values.
2. Enter the list of values you want to use for the input cell for the formula either down one
column or across one row. If you are entering the values in a column, as shown below, leave the
column to the right empty. Also leave additional rows below the values empty. If you are
entering the values in a row, leave the rows below the values empty. Also leave a few columns
to the right empty.

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 3. If you have entered your data in columns, enter the formula one cell above and one cell to the
right of the list of data values. You can enter additional formulas in the cells to the right of this
cell to evaluate how the data values affect other formulas. If you have entered your data in
rows, enter the formula one column to the left of the first value and one cell below the row of
values.

4. Select the data table values and the formula. In this example, the range is C2:D5.
5. Select the Data tab from the Ribbon.
6. Select What If Analysis.
7. Select Data Table.

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 8. Select the input cell in the formula. In a one-input data table, you will only have one input. In
this example, the cell B3 is the Column Input cell.

9. Select OK.

For each possible value for the variable listed in the data table, Excel displays the results.

You may want to format the cells to show the results with the desired formatting (such as currency in
this example).

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Using a Two Input Data Table
To set up a two input data table, use the following procedure.

1. Enter the known values that the formula will use in evaluating the variable values. In this
example, using the previous lesson’s workbook, delete the numbers except for the Loan
Amount.
2. Enter the formula. In this example, it should be entered in cell C2.

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 4. Enter the list of values for the first input cell for the formula down one column under the
formula. In this example, the unknown interest rate is the first input cell.

5. Enter the list of values for the second input cell for the formula across in one row next to the
formula. In this example, the unknown term is the second input cell.

6. Select the range that includes data table values, the formula, and the area where Excel will
display the results. In this example, the range is C2:D5.
7. Select the Data tab from the Ribbon.
8. Select What If Analysis.
9. Select Data Table.

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 10. Select the Row input cell in the formula. In this example, the cell B4 is the Row Input cell.
11. Select the Column input cell in the formula. In this example, the cell B3 is the Column Input cell.

12. Select OK.

For each possible value for the variable listed in the data table, Excel displays the results.

You may want to format the cells to show the results with the desired formatting (such as currency in
this example).

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