Master Goal Seek mechanics: Set Cell, To Value, By Changing Cell.
Goal Seek is Excel's "reverse calculator." Instead of typing inputs and seeing a result, you tell it the result you want, and it finds the input that produces it. Think of it like a sniper scope: you锁定目标 (lock on target), and Excel adjusts until it hits it.
Set Cell
The result cell (profit formula) you want to control
=Profit
To Value
The target number you want that result to equal
$15,000
By Changing Cell
The input cell (price or volume) Excel will adjust
=Price
You find Goal Seek at Data > What-If Analysis > Goal Seek. The dialog has exactly three boxes. Here's how to fill each one:
Click your Profit formula cell
This must be a formula cell (not a plain number). In Sarah's workbook, this is the cell showing Total Profit.
Type your target profit
Enter the number—not a formula. For Sarah, this is $15,000. Do not include dollar signs or commas.
Click your Price (or Volume) input cell
This must be an input cell that the profit formula references. In Sarah's case, the Price cell.
Common Mistake #1: Wrong Set Cell
If you select a plain number cell instead of the profit formula, Goal Seek will do nothing. Make sure "Set Cell" contains =TotalProfit (a formula), not a static number.
Common Mistake #2: Impossible Target
If your target is mathematically impossible (like $1M profit when max revenue is $50K), Goal Seek will show an error. Always verify your target is reasonable first.
1. In the Goal Seek dialog box, which field tells Excel WHAT result you want?
2. If you want to find the price needed to hit your target profit, which cell goes in 'By Changing Cell'?
3. What happens if you put a volume cell in 'By Changing Cell' but a price cell in 'Set Cell' by mistake?
Ready to Reverse-Engineer?
In Guided Practice, you'll use a simulator to practice the Goal Seek workflow before touching the real workbook.