What is the goal seeking analysis?
Robert Miller
Updated on February 07, 2026
Goal seeking is the process of finding the correct input value when only the output is known. The function of goal seeking can be built into different kinds of computer software programs like Microsoft Excel.
How do you use Goal Seek what if analysis?
Use Goal Seek to determine the interest rate
- On the Data tab, in the Data Tools group, click What-If Analysis, and then click Goal Seek.
- In the Set cell box, enter the reference for the cell that contains the formula that you want to resolve.
- In the To value box, type the formula result that you want.
What is the purpose of Goal Seek?
Technically, Goal Seek is a process of calculating a value by performing what-if analysis on a given set of values. For our purposes, Excel’s Goal Seek feature lets you adjust a value used in a formula to achieve a specific goal. Or, put another way, Goal Seek determines input values needed to achieve a specific goal.
What is Goal Seek explain with an example?
Technically, Goal Seek is a process of calculating a value by performing what-if analysis on a given set of values. For our purposes, Excel’s Goal Seek feature lets you adjust a value used in a formula to achieve a specific goal. Calculating the terms of a loan is a good example of a what-if situation.
What is the another name of goal seeking analysis?
Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. In computing, goal seeking is the ability to calculate backward to obtain an input that would result in a given output. This can also be called what-if analysis or back-solving.
What is a what if analysis question?
The what-if analysis is simply a brainstorming technique that asks a variety of questions related to situations that can occur. For instance, in regards to a pump, the question “What if the pump stops running?” might be asked. An analysis of this situation then follows.
Can you do goal seek on multiple cells?
The Multi-Cell Goal Seeker add-in for Microsoft Excel allows you to get goal seek solutions to many spreadsheet cells at one time by automating the goal seek function. It is compatible with Microsoft Excel 2007 to 2019 and Office 365.
How do you goal seek multiple cells?
How to use Goal Seek in Excel
- Set up your data so that you have a formula cell and a changing cell dependent on the formula cell.
- Go to the Data tab > Forecast group, click the What if Analysis button, and select Goal Seek…
- In the Goal Seek dialog box, define the cells/values to test and click OK:
How is goal seeking analysis used in business?
Goal-seeking analysis determines the least amount of units that are needed to be sold in order to earn $2 million in profit. It could state that the more inexpensive models will sell a larger number of units, however, this will take a lot longer than just selling several units of the more expensive models.
What to ask yourself to identify your goals?
By asking these questions, you can identify the big rocks that will lead to your ultimate outcome rather than get stuck in the quicksand of minutiae. – Michela Quilici, MQ Consulting and Business Training Inc. 3. What Would My Life Look Like If I Achieved My Goals?
Why do you need to ask the right questions in data analysis?
By asking the right questions, utilizing a sales analytics software that will enable you to mine, manipulate and manage voluminous sets of data, generating insights will become much easier.
Which is the best tool for goal setting?
The easiest way to start goal-setting in your team or company is to use a goal-setting software tool like Weekdone. You can do so right now by starting your free trial. The importance of business objectives should never be overlooked.