Microsoft Office

Analyzing Data Using
Goal Seek and Solver
The preceding chapter discusses what-if analysis — the process of changing
input cells to observe the results on other dependent cells. This chapter
looks at that process from the opposite perspective: finding the value of
one or more input cells that produces a desired result in a formula cell.
This chapter covers two tools: Goal Seeking and the Solver add-in.
What-If Analysis, in Reverse
IN THIS CHAPTER
What-If analysis — in reverse
Single-cell goal seeking
Introducing Solver
Solver examples
Consider the following what-if question: “What is the total profit if sales increase
by 20 percent?” If you set up your worksheet model properly, you can change the
value in one cell to see what happens to the profit cell. The examples in this
chapter take the opposite approach. If you know what a formula result should
be, Excel can tell you the values that you need to enter in one or more input cells
to produce that result. In other words, you can ask a question such as “How
much do sales need to increase to produce a profit of $1.2 million?” Excel provides
two tools that are relevant:
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Goal Seeking: Determines the value that you need to enter in a single
input cell to produce a result that you want in a dependent (formula)
cell.
Solver: Determines the values that you need to enter in multiple input
cells to produce a result that you want. Moreover, because you can
specify certain constraints to the problem, you gain significant
problem-solving ability.
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