Asking What If with Goal Seek

Asking "What If" with Goal Seek

Excel's powerful functions make it easy to create powerful formulas, such as calculating payments over time. Sometimes, however, being able to make these calculations is only half the battle. Your formula might tell you that a monthly payment amount is $2,000, while you might only be able to manage a $1,750 payment. Goal Seek enables you to work backwards to a desired result, or goal, by adjusting the input values.

Create a "What-If" Scenario with Goal Seek

Click any cell within the list range.

Click the Tools menu, and then click Goal Seek.

Click the Set Cell box, and then type the cell address you want to change.

You can also click the Collapse Dialog button, use your mouse to select the cells , and then click the Expand Dialog button.

Click the To Value box, and then type the result value.

Click the By Changing Cell box, and then type the cell address you want Excel to change.

You can also click the Collapse Dialog button, use your mouse to select the cells, and then click the Expand Dialog button.

Click OK.