AUTOMATE GOAL SEEK EXCEL FOR MAC MAC

If we go with the third option, we can adjust the maximum change to 0.1 (meaning we will accept an answer within 10 cents of our goal). To use the second option, we click OK and manually change the value in cell B6 until we achieve a satisfactory outcome in our output cell. To go with the first option, simply click OK.

Adjust the maximum change and/or iteration.

Click OK and manually adjust the value on our worksheet to one that is close to the solution presented, or.

In the case of this example, we are flexible and will accept a value close to our original target. To allow a more flexible result, make the Maximum Change a larger number, perhaps closer to the number 1.ĭoing the above will adjust the Goal Seek settings for the current workbook. To force Excel to find a more precise solution, adjust the Maximum Change to a very small number, like 0.000001.

To allow Excel to attempt more possible solutions, increase the maximum number of iterations. The default number of iterations is 100.Maximum change (the degree of accuracy required of Excel’s solution).įor situations where an exact solution is desired, the settings above can be adjusted by going to File > Options > Formulas and changing the value in each field as desired.Maximum iterations (the number of attempts Excel can make to arrive at a solution).In the above case, though Goal Seek found that the value of 3,475 sales came close, it is not considered a solution because the target value of $3,600 (rounded to the nearest thousandth) is not met. We attempted to use Goal Seek but received the following message. In the example below, we want to know how many sales we would need to make in order to earn $3,600 in income, using the parameters stated in A1 to C2. There may be times when it seems that Goal Seek is not working because it was unable to find a solution based on the parameters submitted. We click OK to accept, and the worksheet shows that we need to sell 139 units in order to break even. Goal Seek found a solution within the parameters given. In the Goal Seek window, we set cell C7 to zero (break even), by changing C2 (quantity sold). Based on market factors, $600 is determined to be the best selling price, so the only value we have control over is the quantity sold (C2). The main characteristic of a fixed cost is, of course, its non-changeable nature, so that will remain at $75,000. We can use Goal Seek to change either the Selling Price, the Quantity Sold or the Fixed Cost.

The company is posting a loss as shown in cell C7. The values in cells C1, C2, and C4 are constants that are used as formulas to arrive at the values in the remaining cells. In a business setting, Goal Seek can also be used to determine break-even requirements when all other parameters are known.

AUTOMATE GOAL SEEK EXCEL FOR MAC MAC

Once “OK” is selected from the Goal Seek Status window, the values on the worksheet are adjusted and are only retrievable by selecting the ‘Undo’ command (Windows shortcut - CtrlZ / Mac shortcut - CmdZ).The cell chosen in the “By changing cell” field must be a cell containing a constant.The cell chosen in the “Set cell” field must be a cell containing a formula.The Goal Seek feature only allows the adjustment of a single variable at a time.To accept this figure, click OK in the Goal Seek Status window, and the value in the worksheet will be adjusted. Goal Seek attempts to come up with a solution that is an exact match to the target value.Īt the end of the process, the Goal Seek pop-up window changes to a Goal Seek Status window, stating whether or not a solution was found, and a preview of the result is shown in the worksheet. The third field (By changing cell) refers to the cell that you would like Excel to adjust (B1) in order to arrive at the desired result.Īfter selecting OK, Excel will work backward to calculate the income required to allow 10% savings. In the ‘To value’ field, enter the desired outcome (10%). In ‘Set cell’, enter the cell reference, which will contain your desired result (in our case, B15). We will use Goal Seek to arrive at the required income value.Īfter selecting the Goal Seek command, a pop-up window will appear. But to how much?īy using the Goal Seek command, we can indicate a desired outcome, and Excel will determine the adjustment we need to make to a single variable. If you would like your savings to be 10% of your income, and assuming that you are unable to reduce your expenses, you realize that you must increase your income. Your savings (B14) are shown as the difference between the two and displayed as a percentage of your income in cell B15. To illustrate how it works in a simple example, imagine that cell B1 (below) displays your monthly income, and cells B3 to B11 shows your expenses.

Automate goal seek excel for mac