Choose the right What-If tool
Use the smallest tool that answers the question. A single target, a sensitivity grid and a named set of assumptions are different tasks; choosing correctly keeps the model understandable.
| Need | Use | Example question |
|---|---|---|
| Find one input that reaches a target result | Goal Seek | What price would reach a target margin? |
| Compare one input across multiple values | One-variable Data Table | How does profit change at several prices? |
| Compare two assumptions together | Two-variable Data Table | How do price and volume jointly affect revenue? |
| Save and switch among complete assumption sets | Scenario Manager | How do Base, Upside and Downside plans compare? |
Goal Seek: solve for one input
Goal Seek is the direct choice when a formula already calculates the outcome and you want to know which single input would produce a specified target. Keep the other model assumptions fixed, choose the result formula and the input cell to adjust, and inspect the final value.
- Break-even unit volume for a target profit.
- A price required to meet a target revenue or margin.
- A savings contribution required to reach a future balance.
Data Tables: compare sensitivity across assumptions
Data Tables evaluate a spreadsheet model for a sequence of values supplied to one or two assumptions. They are useful for seeing the shape of a decision across a range, not only the answer at a single target. Keep the output range small enough that the workbook recalculates responsively.
Scenarios: preserve named cases
Use Scenario Manager for alternative bundles of assumptions such as a base budget, a stronger-growth case and a downside case. Store the inputs together so you can switch cases without manually re-entering every value.
What-If analysis versus Solver
Goal Seek and Data Tables explore specified input changes. Solver is different: it searches changing cells to optimize an objective while obeying constraints. If your question is “what happens if these assumptions change?”, use What-If tools. If it is “which values best meet my objective under these limits?”, use Solver.
Common questions
What is the difference between Goal Seek and a Data Table?
Goal Seek finds one input value for a specified target result. A Data Table calculates results across a list of one or two input assumptions so you can compare sensitivity.
When should I use Scenarios instead of a Data Table?
Use Scenarios for named bundles of assumptions that you want to save and switch between. Use a Data Table when you want to inspect how one result responds to a set of one or two input values.
When should I use Solver?
Use Solver when the goal is to maximize, minimize or reach a target while considering multiple changing cells and constraints.