How to Use Goal Seek in Excel
![](https://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-01.png)
Excel’s Goal Seek is a What-If Analysis feature that allows backsolving calculations. It’s useful in situations where you have a known output value but want to find the input that dictates it.
In the ribbon, it is found in Data (tab) > What-If Analysis (Forecast group) > Goal Seek.
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-02-1024x330.png)
The Goal Seek window contains three fields:
- Set cell—the cell reference containing the output formula.
- To value—the target value of the output formula.
- By changing cell—the cell reference of the input value.
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-03-1024x277.png)
Workbook
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-04-1024x794.png)
The example explained is found in the following workbook:
Scenario (Fictional)
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-05.png)
Jonathan is a UK university student who has completed five modules out of six for his degree. He’s currently averaging a grade of 68.4, putting him well on track to achieve an Upper Second-Class degree.
But this would be a bit anticlimactic for him…
With just one module to go, he knows if he puts in a Herculean effort and strains every sinew, he can obtain that First-Class Honours degree he so dearly desires.
What Jonathan doesn’t know though is the minimum module grade he needs to reach the all-important 70 mark.
Solution
The first things to understand are:
- K10:L15 contains the degree classification table with the minimum grade required for each
- H13:I19 houses the module results table with Jonathan’s grades listed
Set cell references K18, which uses the formula =AVERAGE(I14:I19)
to output Jonathan’s average grade across all modules.
The To value is 70 — the minimum grade for a First Class Honours degree. Unfortunately, this field must contain a static value as cell references are not permitted.
For the final field, By changing cell, I19 states the Module F grade, which requires the correct figure to achieve the target value (70) in K18.
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-06-1024x277.png)
Once the OK button is pressed, Goal Seek iterates using trial and error before reaching the final answer, which is then placed in I19.
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-07-1024x289.png)
The Average Grade updates to 70, triggering a change to the Degree Classification so First Class Honours is returned.
![](http://andrewmoss.me/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-08-05-22-45-how-to-use-goal-seek-in-excel-08-1024x411.png)
Finally, please check out this video of Goal Seek in action: