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How to Use Goal Seek in Excel

Already know the result you want? Let Excel work backwards to find the input that gets you there.

  1. Prepare the formula cell that produces your result

    Set up the cell containing the formula that calculates the outcome you care about.

  2. Click "Data > What-If Analysis > Goal Seek"

    On the Data tab, click "What-If Analysis," then choose "Goal Seek."

  3. Set your target value and the cell to change

    Enter the result you want and specify which cell should be adjusted to reach it.

  4. Click OK and check the result

    Click OK, and Excel automatically calculates the value needed to hit your target.

  5. Why it matters

    Goal Seek is exactly the right tool for questions like "What loan term gets my monthly payment down to $300?" β€” where you know the answer but need to solve for the input.

Working backwards from a known result

Most of the time you enter inputs and calculate a result. Goal Seek flips that around: you already know the result you want, and you need Excel to figure out what single input value produces it.

One variable at a time

Goal Seek can only adjust a single input cell per run. If your question involves multiple variables changing at once β€” for example, both an interest rate and a loan term β€” you need a more advanced tool like Solver, which is built for exactly that kind of multi-variable problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Goal Seek handle more than one variable at once?

No β€” Goal Seek can only change a single cell per run. For problems with multiple variables, use the more advanced Solver add-in instead.

What happens if Excel can't find a value that hits the target?

If the target is mathematically impossible to reach, Excel displays a message that it could not find a solution, which is a sign to double-check your formula or target value.