What is What-If Analysis in Excel?

What-If Analysis tests how changing input values affects formula results.

What is the difference between Goal Seek and Scenario Manager?

Goal Seek finds one input for a target result. Scenario Manager stores multiple sets of input assumptions.

What should I practice after reading this tutorial?

Rebuild the main example on a copy of your file, then change one argument at a time to see how the result changes. That builds muscle memory faster than rereading the steps.

Which Excel version do I need for the formulas in this article?

Most steps work in Excel 2016 and later. If the article mentions FILTER, UNIQUE, or XLOOKUP, you need Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 — check the linked function pages for compatibility.

Tutorials - 2026-05-12

What-If Analysis in Excel

Learn Excel What-If Analysis tools, including Goal Seek, Scenario Manager, Data Tables, break-even analysis, and planning models.

What What-If Analysis Means

What-If Analysis helps you test how changing inputs affects results. It is useful for budgets, forecasts, pricing, loans, and operational planning. Excel includes several tools: Goal Seek Scenario Manager Data Tables Solver

Goal Seek

Use Goal Seek when you know the target result and need Excel to calculate the required input. Example: find the sales volume needed to reach target profit.

Scenario Manager

Scenario Manager stores different sets of input values, such as conservative, expected, and aggressive cases. This is useful for forecast models.

Data Tables

Data Tables show how one or two changing inputs affect a formula result. Use them for sensitivity analysis, loan payments, pricing, and margin planning.

Related Guides

Goal Seek in Excel Excel Budget Template Guide Excel Percentage Formula PMT function

Apply this tutorial in your workbook

Copy one example from this article into a blank sheet. Change the sample ranges to match your column letters. Press F2 and Enter after edits so Excel recalculates. Compare your result to the expected output in the article. Related hubs: Excel functions directory · Formula guides · Function comparisons

Frequently asked questions

What is What-If Analysis in Excel? What-If Analysis tests how changing input values affects formula results.
What is the difference between Goal Seek and Scenario Manager? Goal Seek finds one input for a target result. Scenario Manager stores multiple sets of input assumptions.
What should I practice after reading this tutorial? Rebuild the main example on a copy of your file, then change one argument at a time to see how the result changes. That builds muscle memory faster than rereading the steps.
Which Excel version do I need for the formulas in this article? Most steps work in Excel 2016 and later. If the article mentions FILTER, UNIQUE, or XLOOKUP, you need Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 — check the linked function pages for compatibility.