What-if analysis, forecasting and Solver

What you can do#

What-If Analysis includes Goal Seek, scenarios and data tables. Goal Seek changes an input to approach a target formula result. Scenarios store alternative input sets for comparison. Data tables calculate results for trial inputs, but the implementation writes a static snapshot rather than a live TABLE formula.

Data Analysis offers statistical tools such as descriptive statistics, regression and selected tests. Forecast Sheet creates a forecast from suitable time-series data. Solver varies input cells to maximise, minimise or reach an objective under constraints, with linear, nonlinear and evolutionary methods. Results depend on the model and settings.

Try it#

A solver result is not automatically a globally best answer, and a forecast is not a guarantee. Read convergence or infeasibility messages and test sensible alternative inputs. Rerun static reports after changing the data; they do not all update like ordinary formulas.

1. Build and check the formulas before running an analysis.
2. For Goal Seek, identify the result formula, target and changing input cell.
3. For Solver, specify the objective, variables and constraints.
4. Inspect the reported status and compare the proposed values with the original assumptions.