{"id":465727,"date":"2022-06-20T18:00:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T15:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel\/"},"modified":"2022-06-20T18:00:22","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T15:00:22","slug":"how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel\/","title":{"rendered":"#How to Use the Scenario Manager in Microsoft Excel"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2f20540100c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a2f20540100c\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel\/#%E2%80%9CHow_to_Use_the_Scenario_Manager_in_Microsoft_Excel%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;How to Use the Scenario Manager in Microsoft Excel&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel\/#Use_the_Scenario_Manager_in_Excel\" >Use the Scenario Manager in Excel<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-the-scenario-manager-in-microsoft-excel\/#Notes_on_the_Scenario_Manager\" >Notes on the Scenario Manager<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CHow_to_Use_the_Scenario_Manager_in_Microsoft_Excel%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;How to Use the Scenario Manager in Microsoft Excel&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<!-- UNCACHED CONTENT --><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage alignnone size-full wp-image-757715\" data-pagespeed-no-defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Microsoft Excel logo on a green background\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever had to decide between two or more financial situations, you may have done some spreadsheet manipulation. You might have entered different numbers to see the varying outcomes. But did you know you can use Excel\u2019s Scenario Manager for just that?<\/p>\n<p>You may be deciding between jobs, projects, products, or something similar where the difference between them is financial, or basically, numeric. With the Scenario Manager in Microsoft Excel, you can enter values for each different situation, save them, and then switch between them with a click.<\/p>\n<p>This can help you forecast finances or make a decision based on the results of the Scenario Manager. For the best way to show how useful the tool can be, let\u2019s walk through an example.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_the_Scenario_Manager_in_Excel\"><\/span>Use the Scenario Manager in Excel<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For our example, we must decide between two different jobs. Job 1 has a lower salary but is closer to home which makes our fuel cost lower. Job 2 pays more but is further from home making our fuel cost higher. We want to see which job leaves us with more money at the end of the month.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Change the Cell Reference Style in Excel<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Add your first scenario\u2019s data into your sheet. Here, we have the salary for Job 1 in cell B2, minus our fuel cost in cell B3 and monthly bills and cell B4. We enter a simple formula into cell B5 that shows us the amount of money left over.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808137\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/FinanceData-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Data for first scenario\" width=\"430\" height=\"230\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Go to the Data tab, click the What-If Analysis drop-down arrow, and pick \u201cScenario Manager.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808138\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/DataWhatIfScenarioManager-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"What-If Analysis on the Data tab\" width=\"505\" height=\"250\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the Scenario Manager window, click \u201cAdd\u201d to include this first scenario.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808140\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddScenario-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Add the first scenario\" width=\"650\" height=\"392\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Give your scenario a name; we\u2019ll use Job 1.<\/p>\n<p>Then, select the Changing Cells input box. You\u2019ll enter or select the cell references for all cells you plan to change for the scenario. You can either enter the cell references separated by commas or hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) as you click each one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>All the Best Microsoft Excel Keyboard Shortcuts<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For our example, our changing cells are B2 for the salary and B3 for the fuel cost. Click \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808139\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddScenarioDetails-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Scenario details box\" width=\"578\" height=\"423\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>In the subsequent pop-up box, enter the values. Since this is the first scenario and you\u2019ve already entered the amounts in the sheet, you should see those values in the corresponding boxes. Confirm and click \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808141\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddScenarioCells-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Changing cells for a scenario\" width=\"650\" height=\"202\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll then see the Scenario Manager window display your first scenario. Select \u201cAdd\u201d to set up the second scenario.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808143\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddSecondScenario-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Add the second scenario\" width=\"488\" height=\"463\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Follow the same steps to give the scenario a name and enter the Changing Cells. The changing cells will likely be the same cell references since you are comparing situations. However, you may use different or additional cells than those shown if necessary. Click \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808144\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddSecondScenarioDetails-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Scenario details box\" width=\"578\" height=\"423\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Now, enter the values for the second scenario\u00a0in the box (not in the sheet). For our example, we enter the salary (B2) and fuel cost (B3) for Job 2. Remember, these are the two variables that change and that we are comparing. Click \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808145\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/AddSecondScenarioCells-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Changing cells for a scenario\" width=\"650\" height=\"193\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Now you have both scenarios set up and should see them in the Scenario Manager window.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808146\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/BothScenarios-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Two scenarios in the manager window\" width=\"489\" height=\"463\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You already see the first scenario for Job 1 in the sheet since you initially entered those details. To see the second scenario, select it in the window and click \u201cShow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll see your spreadsheet update to display the values and calculation for the second scenario.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-808149 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ShowScenario2-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Showing scenario 2\" width=\"650\" height=\"382\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>To display the first one again, select it in the Scenario Manager window and click \u201cShow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-808148 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ShowScenario1-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Showing scenario 1\" width=\"650\" height=\"382\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>This lets you quickly and easily flip back and forth between the scenarios.<\/p>\n<p>When you land on the one you want to keep in your sheet, make sure it\u2019s displayed there and click \u201cClose\u201d in the Scenario Manager window.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Notes_on_the_Scenario_Manager\"><\/span>Notes on the Scenario Manager<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You can set up as many scenarios as you like and switch between them the same way. This is handy for comparing 3, 5, or 10 different numeric or financial situations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Use Microsoft&#8217;s &#8220;Money in Excel&#8221; to Manage Your Finances<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can use up to 32 changing cells for your scenario. We only used two in our example, but you can go much further and perform many different comparisons.<\/p>\n<p>To change or remove a scenario, open the Scenario Manager, select the scenario and click \u201cEdit\u201d to make changes or \u201cDelete\u201d to remove it.<\/p>\n<p>To show a comparison in one spot, open the Scenario Manager, click \u201cSummary,\u201d and mark Scenario Summary. You\u2019ll see a new tab open with a nice visual of your comparison that you can save or share.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-808147\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/ScenarioSummary-ExcelScenarioManager.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Scenario Summary report\" width=\"500\" height=\"239\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_tip\"><p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> You can select a Scenario PivotTable Report instead of a Summary Report if you like.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Before you spend time sw<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ing out values manually to find the best solution to your situation, be sure to check out the Scenario Manager in Excel. It truly makes comparisons a breeze!<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Use Logical Functions in Excel: IF, AND, OR, XOR, NOT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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You might have entered different numbers to see the varying outcomes. But did you know you can use Excel\u2019s Scenario Manager for just that? You may be&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":465728,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/microsoft_excel_hero_1200x675.jpg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-465727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=465727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/465727\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/465728"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=465727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=465727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=465727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}