Goal Seek
- Set cell - contains a cell reference; identifies the cell containing a formula to be solved.
- To value - contains a data value; identifies the desired result.
- By changing cell - contains a cell reference; identifies the cell whose value will be adjusted based on the set cell formula.
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The goal seek tool is the simpler of these two tools. The goal seek dialog box is used as follows: Goal seek will not allow the by changing cell to contain anything other than a data value. If this cell contains a formula, goal seek displays an error message in a popup window. Note that the goal seek tool allows you to specify only one cell reference in the by changing cell textbox. When you click the OK button, the goal seek tool will adjust the by changing cell value and recompute the set cell formula until the set cell value matches the to value. |
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Solver
- Set Target Cell - contains a cell reference; identifies the cell containing a formula to be solved.
- Equal To Value of - contains a data value; identifies the desired result.
- By Changing Cells - contains a reference to one or more cells; identifies the cells whose values will be adjusted based on the set target cell formula.
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The solver dialog box is used as follows: The cells referenced in by changing cells should contain data values. If these cells contain a formula, solver will remove the formula and put a computed data value into each of these cells. When you click the Solve button, the solver tool will adjust the by changing cells values and recompute the set target cell formula until the set target cell value matches the to value. When solver finds a solution, the middle dialog box is displayed. This gives you the option of selecting a report format. Experiment with each report format to see what information is produced. When solver is unable to find a solution, the bottom dialog box is displayed. |
  
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