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9.3 Goal Seek

   

In many types of analysis, even in simple budget preparation, you may need to vary a cell value until a chosen cell reaches a target value. In NExS this process is called goal-seeking and is accomplished using an iterative technique.

Using this method, NExS usually finds the desired value in two or three iterations for linear relationships, more for higher-order dependencies.

To perform Goal Seek:

  1. Select Goal Seek from the Tools menu. NExS displays the Goalseek dialog box as shown in Figure 9.1.

  2. Enter the following specifications in the entry boxes:
    Variable Cell -
    The name or address of the cell value to vary.
    Target Cell -
    The name or address of the cell containing the target value.
    New Value -
    The value to be reached.

  3. Click Start to begin the search. NExS performs the calculation and displays the results on screen, with the Goalseek dialog box still displayed. If necessary, you can move the Goalseek dialog box to view the results of the goal seek operation.

  4. Click Cancel to exit the goalseek operation.


Note: If the value of the target cell does not respond to changes in the variable cell, NExS stops goal seek, delivers an error message, and restores the sheet to its original values.

   figure3097
Figure 9.1: Goal Seek Dialog Box


Note: If the target value is not reached in five (5) iterations, goalseek pauses and enables the Continue button allowing you to choose whether or not to continue with the goalseek operation.


next up previous contents index
Next: 9.4 Sort Up: 9 Shortcuts and Tools Previous: 9.2 NExS Tools

NExS User's Guide, Version 1.4.5
Grey Trout Software
11 April 1999