Ravindra BagaleCourses & study guides

11. What-If Analysis

11.3 One-variable Data Table

In short: A Data Table shows the result for many values of one input at once (sensitivity table).

A Data Table shows the result for many values of one input at once (sensitivity table).

Steps in Excel – profit for different orders per day

  1. In D3:D7 type the input values: 350, 400, 450, 500, 550.
  2. In E2 (one row above and one column right of the first value) type =B13 (link to Profit).
  3. Select D2:E7.
  4. Data › Forecast › What-If Analysis › Data Table… › leave Row input cell empty › Column input cell: B2 › OK.
Orders/day Profit
350 -₹1,39,200
400 -₹94,800
450 -₹50,400
500 -₹6,000
550 ₹38,400

The cells contain {=TABLE(,B2)} – you cannot edit a single cell of the result; select the whole result area to delete it.

Ravindra Bagale's Tip

Swapping the Row input cell and Column input cell in a Data Table is a classic mistake of many students, and then all the results come out the same. If the values are written downwards (in a column), use the Column input cell. And the input cell must be on the same sheet as the Data Table. A big data table makes the file slow – you can use Formulas › Calculation Options › Automatic Except for Data Tables.

Practice task

Build a one-variable data table of Profit for delivery costs ₹20 to ₹40 in steps of ₹4. Add a second result column for Revenue.