1. Performing What-if Analysis
Excel 2016 Module 11
Performing What-if Analysis

2. Module Objectives Define what-if analysis
Track what-if analysis with Scenario Manager
Generate a scenario summary
Project figures using a data table
Use Goal Seek
Set up a complex what-if analysis with Solver
Run Solver and summarize results
Analyze data using the Analysis ToolPak
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

3. Define What-if Analysis (Slide 1 of 3)
Explore multiple outcomes based on variable inputs
Model
Name for what-if worksheet
Input cells
Data cells that generate outputted calculations
Dependent cell
Formula cells whose value changes based on input values
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

4. Define What-if Analysis (Slide 2 of 3)
Guidelines for what-if analysis
Understand and state purpose of model
Determine data input value(s) that, if changed, affect(s) dependent cell results
Identify dependent cell(s) that will contain results
Formulate questions what-if analysis should answer
Perform what-if analysis
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

5. Define What-if Analysis (Slide 3 of 3)
Worksheet model for a what-if analysis
Cell B3 = data input value
Dependent cell formulas in cells B3, H3, B7, H7 and all percent totals
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

6. Track What-if Analysis with Scenario Manager (Slide 1 of 5)
Set of values that generate different results
Variable
A value that changes
Changing cells
Cells that will change (vary) for different scenarios
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

7. Track What-if Analysis with Scenario Manager (Slide 2 of 5)
Add Scenario dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

8. Track What-if Analysis with Scenario Manager (Slide 3 of 5)
Scenario Values dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

9. Track What-if Analysis with Scenario Manager (Slide 4 of 5)
Scenario Manager dialog box with three scenarios listed
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

10. Track What-if Analysis with Scenario Manager (Slide 5 of 5)
Merging scenarios
Scenarios stored the workbook and on the worksheet in which you created them
Click the Merge button in the Scenario Manager dialog box
Select scenarios from other locations
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

11. Generate a Scenario Summary (Slide 1 of 2)
Excel table that compiles data from the changing cells and corresponding result cells for each scenario
Create names for cells to make scenario summary easier to read
Scenario Summary dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

12. Generate a Scenario Summary (Slide 2 of 2)
Completed Scenario Summary report
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

13. Project Figures Using a Data Table (Slide 1 of 3)
Range of cells showing varying results (output values) when one or more input value changes
One-input data table
Range of cells showing results when one input value is varied in a formula
Enter only one cell reference (Row input cell OR Column input cell) in the Data Table dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

14. Project Figures Using a Data Table (Slide 2 of 3)
Completed data table with resulting values
Input values in column K
Percentages (output values in column L)
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

15. Project Figures Using a Data Table (Slide 3 of 3)
Creating a two-input data table
Shows the resulting values when two different input values are varied in a formula
Enter both a row input cell and a column input cell in the Data Table dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

16. Use Goal Seek (Slide 1 of 4)
Specify solution and ask Excel to find the input value that produces the answer you want
Backing into a solution - backsolving
Goal cell
Contains a formula in which you can substitute values to find a specific value, or goal
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

17. Use Goal Seek (Slide 2 of 4)
Completed Goal Seek dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

18. Use Goal Seek (Slide 3 of 4)
Worksheet with new dependent values
New target values display in cells B3 and B8
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

19. Use Goal Seek (Slide 4 of 4)
Using Excel’s Data Analysis Tools
Set of data analysis features that work together
Referred to as Business Intelligence (BI)
Tools include
Power Query
Power Pivot
Power View
Power Map
Must enable add-ins in Excel Options, Advanced tab
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

20. Set up a Complex What-if Analysis with Solver (Slide 1 of 3)
Add-in
Program providing optional features
Solver
Finds best solution from several inputs
Target cell or objective
Contains formula
Constraints
Limitations or restrictions on input values
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

21. Set up a Complex What-if Analysis with Solver (Slide 2 of 3)
Worksheet set up for a complex what-if analysis
Changing cells in columns G and H
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

22. Set up a Complex What-if Analysis with Solver (Slide 3 of 3)
Completed Solver Parameters dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

23. Run Solver and Summarize Results (Slide 1 of 3)
Enter parameters in Solver Parameters dialog box and run Solver
In some cases, Solver may not be able to find a solution meeting all constraints
Summaries can be created from Solver solutions
Understanding Answer reports
Answer Report
Compares original values with Solver’s final values
Three sections
Top – target cell information
Middle – adjustable cells information
Last – constraints information
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

24. Run Solver and Summarize Results (Slide 2 of 3)
Solver Results dialog box
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

25. Run Solver and Summarize Results (Slide 3 of 3)
Solver Summary
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

26. Analyze Data Using the Analysis ToolPak (Slide 1 of 3)
Add-in containing many statistical analysis tools.
Descriptive Statistics tool
Generates a statistical report including:
Mean median, mode, minimum, maximum, and sum for an input range
Forecast Sheet tool
Project future data based on past trends when have historical time-based data
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

27. Analyze Data Using the Analysis ToolPak (Slide 2 of 3)
Descriptive Statistics dialog box
Completed report
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

28. Analyze Data Using the Analysis ToolPak (Slide 3 of 3)
Descriptive statistics
© 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.