Goal Seek is used in Excel to reverse the input value to implement a specific result. It is suitable for univariate questions such as determining sales to meet profit targets or passing test scores. When using it, you need to set the formula cell, target value and variable input cell. The steps are: Click the Data tab → What-If Analysis → Goal Seek → Fill in the parameters. Application scenarios include budget models, break-even point calculations, etc., but they are not suitable for multivariate complex models. Solver tools should be used at this time.

When you want to figure out what input value will give you a specific result in Excel, Goal Seek is the tool to use. It's part of Excel's What-If Analysis features and helps you work backward from the outcome you want.

What Goal Seek Is Good For

Goal Seek is helpful when you know the result you want from a formula but aren't sure what input value is needed to get there. For example, you might want to know how many units you need to sell to reach a certain profit target, or what score you need on your last exam to pass the class.

It's not for complex models with multiple variables — for that, you'd use Solver — but for single-variable problems, it works great.

How to Use Goal Seek in Excel

To use Goal Seek, you need:

• A worksheet set up with a formula cell that depends on another input cell.
• A clear idea of ??the desired result in that formula cell.

Here's how to run Goal Seek:

1. Go to the Data tab
2. Click What-If Analysis
3. Select Goal Seek
4. In the dialog box:
   • Set cell: the formula cell you want to reach a specific value
   • To value: the result you want
   • By changing cell: the input cell that can be adjusted

Click OK and Excel will calculate and show you the necessary input.

Practical Examples You Might Run Into

Let's say you have a simple budget model where total cost = quantity × unit price. If you want to know what quantity would bring the total cost to exactly $10,000, and your unit price is fixed at $25, Goal Seek can tell you how many items you can buy.

Another common case is calculating break-even points. Suppose your profit formula subtracts costs from revenue. If you want to find out how many sales are needed to make profit equal zero (break even), Goal Seek can handle that too.

You'll often see this used in financial planning, academic grading, and performance tracking — any scenario where one number affects another through a formula.

Just remember: Goal Seek only changes one input at a time. If your model relies on more than one variable, you'll need to fix the other values ??or use a different tool. But for straightforward scenarios, it's fast and effective.

Basically that's it

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