What if analysis with excel

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By using What-If Analysis tools in Excel, you can use several different sets of values in one or more formulas to explore all the various results.

For example, you can do What-If Analysis to build two budgets that each assumes a certain level of revenue. Or, you can specify a result that you want a formula to produce, and then determine what sets of values will produce that result. Excel provides several different tools to help you perform the type of analysis that fits your needs.

Note that this is just an overview of those tools. There are links to help topics for each one specifically.

What-If Analysis is the process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes will affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet.

Three kinds of What-If Analysis tools come with Excel: Scenarios, Goal Seek, and Data Tables. Scenarios and Data tables take sets of input values and determine possible results. A Data Table works with only one or two variables, but it can accept many different values for those variables. A Scenario can have multiple variables, but it can only accommodate up to 32 values. Goal Seek works differently from Scenarios and Data Tables in that it takes a result and determines possible input values that produce that result.

In addition to these three tools, you can install add-ins that help you perform What-If Analysis, such as the Solver add-in. The Solver add-in is similar to Goal Seek, but it can accommodate more variables. You can also create forecasts by using the fill handle and various commands that are built into Excel.

For more advanced models, you can use the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

A Scenario is a set of values that Excel saves and can substitute automatically in cells on a worksheet. You can create and save different groups of values on a worksheet and then switch to any of these new scenarios to view different results.

For example, suppose you have two budget scenarios: a worst case and a best case. You can use the Scenario Manager to create both scenarios on the same worksheet, and then switch between them. For each scenario, you specify the cells that change and the values to use for that scenario. When you switch between scenarios, the result cell changes to reflect the different changing cell values.

1. Changing cells

2. Result cell

1. Changing cells

2. Result cell

If several people have specific information in separate workbooks that you want to use in scenarios, you can collect those workbooks and merge their scenarios.

After you have created or gathered all the scenarios that you need, you can create a Scenario Summary Report that incorporates information from those scenarios. A scenario report displays all the scenario information in one table on a new worksheet.

Note: Scenario reports are not automatically recalculated. If you change the values of a scenario, those changes will not show up in an existing summary report. Instead, you must create a new summary report.

If you know the result that you want from a formula, but you’re not sure what input value the formula requires to get that result, you can use the Goal Seek feature. For example, suppose that you need to borrow some money. You know how much money you want, how long a period you want in which to pay off the loan, and how much you can afford to pay each month. You can use Goal Seek to determine what interest rate you must secure in order to meet your loan goal.

Cells B1, B2, and B3 are the values for the loan amount, term length, and interest rate.

Cell B4 displays the result of the formula =PMT(B3/12,B2,B1).

Note: Goal Seek works with only one variable input value. If you want to determine more than one input value, for example, the loan amount and the monthly payment amount for a loan, you should instead use the Solver add-in. For more information about the Solver add-in, see the section Prepare forecasts and advanced business models, and follow the links in the See Also section.

If you have a formula that uses one or two variables, or multiple formulas that all use one common variable, you can use a Data Table to see all the outcomes in one place. Using Data Tables makes it easy to examine a range of possibilities at a glance. Because you focus on only one or two variables, results are easy to read and share in tabular form. If automatic recalculation is enabled for the workbook, the data in Data Tables immediately recalculates; as a result, you always have fresh data.

Cell B3 contains the input value.
Cells C3, C4, and C5 are values Excel substitutes based on the value entered in B3.

A Data Table cannot accommodate more than two variables. If you want to analyze more than two variables, you can use Scenarios. Although it is limited to only one or two variables, a Data Table can use as many different variable values as you want. A Scenario can have a maximum of 32 different values, but you can create as many scenarios as you want.

If you want to prepare forecasts, you can use Excel to automatically generate future values that are based on existing data, or to automatically generate extrapolated values that are based on linear trend or growth trend calculations.

You can fill in a series of values that fit a simple linear trend or an exponential growth trend by using the fill handle or the Series command. To extend complex and nonlinear data, you can use worksheet functions or the regression analysis tool in the Analysis ToolPak Add-in.

Although Goal Seek can accommodate only one variable, you can project backward for more variables by using the Solver add-in. By using Solver, you can find an optimal value for a formula in one cell—called the target cell—on a worksheet.

Solver works with a group of cells that are related to the formula in the target cell. Solver adjusts the values in the changing cells that you specify—called the adjustable cells—to produce the result that you specify from the target cell formula. You can apply constraints to restrict the values that Solver can use in the model, and the constraints can refer to other cells that affect the target cell formula.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in the Answers community.

As a business head, it is important to know the different scenarios of your future project. Based on the scenarios, the business head will make decisions. For example, you are going to undertake one of the important projects. You have done your homework and listed all the possible expenditures from your end, and below is the list of all your expenses.

The expected cash flow from this project is $75 million, which is in cell C2. Total expenses comprise all your fixed and variable expenses, the total cost is $57.45 million in cell C12. Total profit is $17.55 million in cell C14, and profit % is 23.40% of your cash inflow.

It is the basic scenario of your project. Now, you need to know the profit scenario if some of your expenses increase or decrease.

Scenario 1

In a general case scenario, you have estimated the “Project License” cost to be $10 million, but you are sure anticipating it to be $15 million
Raw material costs to be increased by $2.5 million
Other expensesOther expenses comprise all the non-operating costs incurred for the supporting business operations. Such payments like rent, insurance and taxes have no direct connection with the mainstream business activities.read more to be decreased by 50 thousand.

Scenario 2

The “Project Cost” to be at $20 million
The “Labor Daily Wages” to be at $5 million
The “Operating Cost” is to be at $3.5 million

Now, you have listed out all the scenarios in the form. Based on these scenarios, you need to create a table about how it will impact your profit and profit %.

To create What-If Analysis scenarios, follow the below steps.

Go to DATA > What-If Analysis > Scenario Manager.
Once you click “Scenario Manager,” it will show you below the dialog box.
Click on “Add.” Then, give “Scenario name.”
In changing cells, select the first scenario changes you have listed out. The changes are Project License (cell C10) at $15 million, Raw Material Cost (cell C7) at $11 million, and Other Expenses (cell C11) at $4.5 million. Mention these three cells here.
Click on “OK.” It will ask you to mention the new values as listed in scenario 1.
Do not click on “OK” but click on “OK Add.” It will save this scenario for you.
Now, it will ask you to create one more scenario. As we listed in scenario 2, make the changes. This time we need to change Project Cost (C10), Labour Cost (C8), and Operating Cost (C9).
Now, add new values here.
Now click on “OK.” It will show all the scenarios we have created.
Click on “Scenario summary.” It will ask you which result cells you want to change. Here, we need to change the Total Expense Cell (C12), Total Profit Cell (C14), and Profit % cell (C16).
Click on “OK.” It will create a summary report for you in the new worksheet.

Total Excel has created three scenarios even though we have supplied only two scenario changes because Excel will show existing reports as one scenario.

From this table, we can easily see the impact of changes in pour profit %.

#2 Goal Seek in What-If Analysis

Now, we know the Scenario Manager’s advantage. What-if-Analysis Goal Seek can tell you what you must do to achieve the target.

Andrew is a class 10th student. His target is to achieve an average score of 85 in the final exam. He has already completed 5 exams and left with only 1 exam. Therefore, in the completed 5 exams.

To calculate the current average, apply the average formula in the B7 cell.

The current average is 82.2.

Andrew’s GOAL is 85. His current average is 82.2. He is short by 3.8 with one exam.

Now, the question is how much he has to score in the final exam to eventually get an overall average of 85. It can be found by the What-If Analysis GOAL SEEK tool.

Step 1: Go to DATA > What-If Analysis > Goal Seek.

Step 2: It will show you below the dialog box.

Step 3: Here, we need to set the cell first. “Set cell” is nothing but which cell we need for the final result, i.e., our overall average cell (B7). Next is “To value.” Again, Andrew’s overall average GOAL is nothing but for what value we need to set the cell (85).

The next and final step is changing which cell you want to see the impact on. So, we need to change cell B6, the cell for the final subject’s score.

Step 4: Click on “OK.” Excel will take a few seconds to complete the process, but it eventually shows the result like the one below.

Now, we have our results here. To get an overall average of 85, Andrew has to score 99 in the final exam.

#3 Data Table in What-If Analysis

We have already seen two wonderful techniques under What-If Analysis in Excel. First, the Data Table can create different scenario tables based on the variable change. We have two kinds of Data Tables here: one variable Data Table and a “Two-variable data tableA two-variable data table helps analyze how two different variables impact the overall data table. In simple terms, it helps determine what effect does changing the two variables have on the result.read more.” This article will show you One variable data table in ExcelOne variable data table in excel means changing one variable with multiple options and getting the results for multiple scenarios. The data inputs in one variable data table are either in a single column or across a row.read more.

Assume you are selling 1,000 products at ₹15, your total anticipated expense is ₹12,500, and your profit is ₹2,500.

You are not happy with the profit you are getting. Your anticipated profit is ₹7,500. You have decided to increase your per-unit price to increase your profit, but you do not know how much you need to increase.

Data tables can help you. Create a table below.

Now, in the cell, F1 links to the “Total Profit” cell, B6.

Step 1: Select the newly created table.

Step 2: Go to DATA > What-if Analysis > Data Table.

Step 3: Now, you will see below dialog box.

Step 4: Since we are showing the result vertically, leave the ”Row input cell.” In the “Column input cell,” select cell B2, which is the original selling price.

Step 5: Click on “OK” to get the results. It will list out profit numbers in the new table.

So, we have our Data Table ready. To profit from ₹7,500, you need to sell at ₹20 per unit.

Things to Remember

The What-If Analysis data table can be performed with two variable changes. Refer to our article on What-If Analysis two-variable Data Table.
What-If Analysis Goal Seek takes a few seconds to perform calculations.
What-If Analysis Scenario Manager can give a summary with input numbers and current values together.

Create Different Scenarios

But what if you sell 70% for the highest price? And what if you sell 80% for the highest price? Or 90%, or even 100%? Each different percentage is a different scenario. You can use the Scenario Manager to create these scenarios.

Note: You can simply type in a different percentage into cell C4 to see the corresponding result of a scenario in cell D10. However, what-if analysis enables you to easily compare the results of different scenarios. Read on.

1. On the Data tab, in the Forecast group, click What-If Analysis.

2. Click Scenario Manager.

The Scenario Manager dialog box appears.

3. Add a scenario by clicking on Add.

4. Type a name (60% highest), select cell C4 (% sold for the highest price) for the Changing cells and click on OK.

5. Enter the corresponding value 0.6 and click on OK again.

6. Next, add 4 other scenarios (70%, 80%, 90% and 100%).

Finally, your Scenario Manager should be consistent with the picture below:

Note: to see the result of a scenario, select the scenario and click on the Show button. Excel will change the value of cell C4 accordingly for you to see the corresponding result on the sheet.

Scenario Summary

To easily compare the results of these scenarios, execute the following steps.

1. Click the Summary button in the Scenario Manager.

2. Next, select cell D10 (total profit) for the result cell and click on OK.

Result:

Conclusion: if you sell 70% for the highest price, you obtain a total profit of $4100, if you sell 80% for the highest price, you obtain a total profit of $4400, etc. That’s how easy what-if analysis in Excel can be.

Goal Seek

What if you want to know how many books you need to sell for the highest price, to obtain a total profit of exactly $4700? You can use Excel’s Goal Seek feature to find the answer.

1. On the Data tab, in the Forecast group, click What-If Analysis.

2. Click Goal Seek.

The Goal Seek dialog box appears.

3. Select cell D10.

4. Click in the ‘To value’ box and type 4700.

5. Click in the ‘By changing cell’ box and select cell C4.

6. Click OK.

Result. You need to sell 90% of the books for the highest price to obtain a total profit of exactly $4700.

Note: visit our page about Goal Seek for more examples and tips.

Источник

Анализ «Что Если» в Excel позволяет попробовать различные значения (сценарии) для формул.
Следующий пример поможет Вам освоить Анализ «что если» быстро и легко.

Предположим, у вас есть книжный магазин и есть 100 книг на продажу. Вы продаете определенный % книг по самой высокой цене в $ 50 и определенный % книг по более низкой цене $ 20.

Если вы продаете 60% книг по самой высокой цене, ячейка D10 вычисляет общую прибыль в размере 60 * $ 50 + 40 * $ 20 = $ 3800.

Скачать рассматриваемый пример Вы можете по этой ссылке: Пример анализа «что если» в Excel.

Создание различных сценариев

Что будет, если Вы продадите 70% книг по высокой цене? А что будет, если Вы продадите 80% книг? Или 90%, или 100%? Каждый другой процент продажи книг — это различный сценарий.
Вы можете использовать «Диспетчер сценариев» для создания этих сценариев.

Примечание: Вы можете просто ввести другой процент в ячейку C4, что бы увидеть результат в ячейке C10. Однако, Анализ «что если» позволит Вам сравнить результаты различных сценариев.

Итак, приступим.

1. На вкладке Данные выберите Анализ «что если» и выберите Диспетчер сценариев из списка.
Откроется диалоговое окно Диспетчер сценариев.

2. Добавьте сценарий, нажав на кнопку Добавить.

3. Введите имя (60% книг по высокой цене), выберите ячейку C4 (% книг, которые продаются по высокой цене) для изменяемой ячейки и нажмите на кнопку OK.

4. Введите соответствующее значение 0,6 и нажмите на кнопку OK еще раз.

5. Далее, добавьте еще 4 других сценария (70%, 80%, 90% и 100% соответсвенно).

И, наконец, ваш Диспетчер сценариев должен соответствовать картинке ниже:

Примечание: чтобы увидеть результат сценария, выберите сценарий и нажмите на кнопку Вывести. Excel изменит значение ячейки C4 в соответствии со сценарием, что бы Вы смогли увидеть результат на листе.

Отчет по сценариям

Для того, чтобы легко сравнить результаты этих сценариев, выполните следующие действия:

1. Кликните по кнопке «Отчет» в Диспетчере сценариев.

2. Далее, выберите ячейку C10 (итого выручка) в качестве ячейки результата и нажмите ОК.

Результат:

Вывод: Если вы продаете 70% книг по высокой цене, то Вы получите общую выручку в размере $ 4100, если Вы продаете 80% книг по высокой цене, то Вы получаете общую прибыль в размере $ 4400 и т.д. Вот как легко можно использовать Анализ «что если» в Excel.

Подписывайтесь на нас в социальных сетях, оставляйте комментарии к статье. Надеюсь пример использования анализа «что если» в Excel Вам понравился.

Источник

Another helpful Excel guide from Acuity Training’s Nick Williams.

What-if analysis is a useful way of being able to test out various scenarios in Excel. You can look at these things two different ways.

The first way is to change the input variables and see what impact that has on the output. The scenario manager and data tables work in this way and can be used to answer questions like, what would happen to our profits if the number of units we sell doubled, or what would happen to our profits if the cost price of each of our units sold increased by 10%.

The second way is to say what outcome you would like to have and ask Excel to calculate what change in the inputs would be required to achieve this. The goal seek feature works this way and can answer questions such as how many units of a product need to be sold in order to reach a desired profit level.

Scenario Manager

The following example looks at scenarios showing the profit from selling 100 apples, with differing levels of mark-up.

The first step is to create some scenarios. The scenario manager can be found on the Data ribbon, under What-If Analysis. Click the Add button to start creating new scenarios. The next dialog box will ask for a name for the scenario and which cells are to be changed. A scenario can contain up to 32 changing cells, although in reality, most scenarios will use far fewer than this. Once the scenario name and cells to be changed have been selected, click the OK button and fill in the values for each cell to be used in the scenario. From here, click Add to continue adding more scenarios, or OK when finished.

For this example, four scenarios have been created – for a 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% markup. There are two ways that a scenario can be applied – it can either be shown on the worksheet itself, or a summary can be created. The below table shows the results when a 50% markup is applied. This was achieved simply by selecting the 50% Markup scenario from the Scenario Manager and clicking the Show button. 50% has been entered into the Markup column, and the figure in the Profit column, which is calculated using a formula referring to this has updated accordingly.

To compare results from several scenarios simultaneously, the Summary option can be used. As with the Show option, the Summary report is accessed from the Scenario Manager dialog box. There are two options here; Scenario summary and Scenario PivotTable Report. Although the option is there to display the results as a PivotTable report, in most cases, the summary will display the results in a more user-friendly way.

The below shows the results from the scenario summary, demonstrating that the profit changes depending on the markup scenario used. Note that the Changing Cells and Result Cells are shown using their cell references. In this example, they have been left so that they can be referred against the table above, however in practice, it will make the report easier to read if the cells have been named.

Goal Seek

The scenario manager is good for known variables, however, sometimes it is desirable to work backwards. Using the same example of selling 100 apples, we might want to know what markup we would need to use in order to achieve a profit of £25. Goal Seek can be used to answer exactly these sorts of questions.

Goal Seek can be found on the Data ribbon, under What-If Analysis. It simply asks for three parameters. Set cell refers to the cell we want to contain the goal value. In this case it is E2, the cell showing the profit on apples. The value in the To value box should represent the goal, in this case 25, representing the desired £25 profit. Finally, the By changing cell box should show the cell reference for the cell to be manipulated in order to achieve the goal, in this case the markup.

Upon pressing OK, Excel will look for a solution, displaying a dialog box like the one below when it has finished. Note that in the example below, cell C2 has been updated to show a 250% markup and cell E2 showing the profit has updated accordingly. Pressing OK will confirm these changes and commit them to the worksheet, while pressing cancel will see the cells revert back to their previous values.

Data Table

Scenario summaries give a table showing data from various scenarios, however, they do not update if the data they are based upon changes. In the apple sales example, we might not need scenarios based on the cost price, as this is a non-controllable factor, yet it could still change in the future. The scenario summaries based upon it would not change if this was updated, whereas a data table would.

Data tables can be based on either one or two variables. For a single variable, a two column data table is required. The first column should contain the variable, whilst the second should be left blank for Excel to populate. The exception to this is the very first row, where the second column should show the formula on which the calculation is based.

To populate the data table, select the entire table (in the case of this example this would be cells H2 to I6) and navigate to What-If Analysis on the Data ribbon, and choose Data Table from the drop down menu. On the dialog box that appears, select the cell containing the variable as the column input cell. This tells Excel to use the value in the input column instead of this cell in the formula performing the calculation. Press OK, and Excel will populate the rest of the data table.

A two variable data table works in much the same way, however the layout is slightly different. Instead of consisting of two columns, there should be one column containing the values for the first variable, with a row containing the values for the second variable. The formula should go in the top left corner, where the two meet.

As with a single variable data table, highlight the entire table, so B6 to F10 in the example, and select Data Table from the What-If Analysis Dropdown on the Data ribbon. This time, enter the cells containing both the row and column variables in the formula. Press OK, and Excel will populate the table.

Источник

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See Also

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Table of contents

#1 Scenario Manager in What-If Analysis

#2 Goal Seek in What-If Analysis

#3 Data Table in What-If Analysis

Things to Remember

Recommended Articles

Create Different Scenarios

Scenario Summary

Goal Seek

Создание различных сценариев

Отчет по сценариям

Scenario Manager

Goal Seek

Data Table