Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007 Inside Out

Chapter 18. Performing What-If Analysis

Using Data Tables

Using the Scenario Manager

Using the Goal Seek Command

Using the Solver

One of the most important benefits of spreadsheet software is that it performs a what-if analysis quickly and easily. Change key variables, and instantly see the effect. For example, if you’re using Microsoft Office Excel 2007 to decide whether to lease or purchase a car, you can test your financial model with different assumptions about interest rates and down payments, and you can see the effects of varying rates on bottom-line costs you will pay, such as the total interest. Office Excel 2007 offers a number of advanced what-if features, which are discussed in this chapter.

Using Data Tables

A data table, or sensitivity ...