Use Goal Seek



To use the Goal Seek function on the sample calculation

Sample Calculation:

  • Starting Reading: 13,552,100
  • Stopping Reading: 13,777,100
  • Average Reading: 225,000
  • Average per Day Reading: 7,500
  • Reading in KL: 225

Steps to Apply Goal Seek in Excel:

  1. Enter Data into Excel:

    • Enter the starting and stopping reading values in two separate cells.
    • In the cell for the "Average Reading," calculate the difference between the stopping and starting reading to determine the total reading.
    • Calculate the average per day reading (divide the total reading by the number of days).

  2. Formula Setup:

    • Total Reading: =Stopping Reading - Starting Reading (This should give you the total reading from Jan 1 to Jan 31).
    • Days of Operation: 31 (assuming the reading is taken over a 31-day period).
    • Average per Day Reading: =Total Reading / Days (This should give the average reading per day).

  3. Goal Seek Setup:

    • Objective: You want to find the number of days it will take to reach a certain reading or adjust the average per day reading to achieve a target.
    • For example, if you want to change the number of days to reach 225,000 units of reading, use Goal Seek to set the "Average Reading" cell to 225,000 by changing the "Days" value.

  4. Using Goal Seek:

    • Go to the "Data" tab in Excel and click on "What-If Analysis."
    • Select "Goal Seek."
    • In the Goal Seek dialog box, set the following:
      • Set Cell: The cell where the formula for Average Reading is.
      • To Value: The desired target value (225,000 in this case).
      • By Changing Cell: The cell for the number of days (this could be the "Days" value in the formula).

  5. Run Goal Seek:

    • Click "OK" to let Excel calculate the number of days required to achieve the target reading.
    • Excel will adjust the number of days to meet the average reading target.

This process will help you use Goal Seek to find the necessary information based on the values provided. Would you like me to guide you through setting it up in Excel, or do you need any more details?