Goal Seek
Goal Seek is a What-If Analysis tool in Microsoft Excel that helps find the input value required to achieve a desired result in a formula.
Instead of changing values manually and checking results repeatedly, Goal Seek automatically calculates the required input value.
What is Goal Seek?
Goal Seek works backward.
Normally, we provide input values and Excel calculates the result.
With Goal Seek, we specify the desired result, and Excel calculates the required input value.
If one book costs ₹335 and you want total sales of ₹50,000, Goal Seek can calculate how many books must be sold.
Goal Seek Syntax
Goal Seek does not use a worksheet formula.
It is accessed from:
Data Tab → What-If Analysis → Goal Seek
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Set Cell | Formula cell whose result you want to change. |
| To Value | Desired result. |
| By Changing Cell | Input cell Excel will adjust. |
Example 1: Sales Target
Data
| Cell | Value |
|---|---|
| B1 | 335 (Book Price) |
| B2 | 100 (Quantity) |
| B3 | =B1*B2 |
Current Total = ₹33,500
Suppose management wants Total Sales = ₹50,000.
Goal Seek Settings
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Set Cell | B3 |
| To Value | 50000 |
| By Changing Cell | B2 |
Excel calculates approximately 149 books must be sold.
Example 2: Student Marks
A student has scores in 5 subjects.
| Subject | Marks |
|---|---|
| Kannada | 70 |
| Hindi | 75 |
| English | 80 |
| Maths | 65 |
| Science | 60 |
Average Formula:
=AVERAGE(B2:B6)
Current Average = 70
Student wants Average = 80.
Goal Seek Settings
| Option | Value |
|---|---|
| Set Cell | Average Cell |
| To Value | 80 |
| By Changing Cell | Science Marks |
Excel calculates the marks needed in Science to achieve an average of 80.
Steps to Use Goal Seek
- Create a formula.
- Select the formula cell.
- Click Data → What-If Analysis → Goal Seek.
- Enter Set Cell.
- Enter To Value.
- Select By Changing Cell.
- Click OK.
- Accept the result.
Advantages of Goal Seek
- Easy to use.
- No formulas required.
- Quick target analysis.
- Useful for sales, finance, budgeting, and marksheets.
- Automatically finds required input values.
Limitations of Goal Seek
- Can change only one input cell at a time.
- Works with formula cells only.
- Cannot handle multiple variables.
- For complex scenarios, Solver is preferred.
