What-If Analysis¶

Goal Seek, scenarios, and data tables answer different questions. Choose the method from the requested result, and use CLI help or MCP tool descriptions for current commands and inputs.

Goal Seek¶

Use Goal Seek when one formula result must reach a numeric target by changing one input. The changing cell must actually influence the formula.

Goal Seek changes live cells. It is not a read-only diagnostic; inspect both the resulting input and formula value before treating the target as established.

Scenarios¶

Use scenarios to compare named sets of assumptions. Match each value to its intended input cell in the correct order.

Applying a scenario replaces those inputs. Listing scenarios during an audit does not authorize applying one. After the chosen assumptions are configured, request a summary when the task needs a comparison report.

Data Tables¶

Prepare the layout before creating a sensitivity table: the formula, trial values, and input cells must represent the intended one- or two-variable comparison. A What-If data table is not an ordinary worksheet Table.

Large tables can be expensive to calculate. If controlling recalculation during edits, follow calculation guidance and restore the original mode after failure as well as success.

Solver Is Not Exposed¶

Solver is an optional VBA add-in that needs separate user configuration and macro-security decisions. Do not enable it or change trust settings automatically. Use Goal Seek for a one-variable target, or explain when the request needs user-configured constrained optimization.