# Goal Seek

Goal Seek feature is applicable when you want to update a node value that is derived using a complex formula, or has dependents/node references that use a complex formula. Such nodes can be updated only by changing one of its key drivers/input nodes.&#x20;

The **Goal Seek** button in the Action menu bar gets enabled automatically when you are trying to update a node that has a reference to a complex formula.

<figure><img src="/files/Z3ozRYSA77sNlNzOwQ1D" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Goal Seek</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
In the above image, clicking on the *Clothing* node has enabled **Goal Seek,** despite its formula being ***Sum of Visible Children*** because one or more of its child nodes contain complex formulas(e.g. division, sum of products, etc.).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
This option is presented to the user automatically, in cases when you are forecasting for the nodes that involve complex formulas. In the below image, forecasting is done for the *Total Net Profit* node. Since it involves a complex formula, the user is prompted with the below pop-up window to choose the input node/changing node through goal seek.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/JEXs2CKBDp0PuoU2C1sa" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Changing Key Driver for Forecasting</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

Forecasting is explained in the section: [Time Series Forecasting.](/plan/time-series-forecasting.md)

## Steps for Goal Seek

**Step 1:** Select the node you want to change and click **Goal Seek** from the Action Menu Bar. A pop-up window opens below the screen.

*Revenue* node of January is selected in the example below and **Goal Seek** is chosen.

<figure><img src="/files/yXJgUAgFRs7fuSkzCiHL" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Goal Seek for Revenue Node</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2:** By default, **Goal Value, Target Node,** and **Period** fields are pre-filled based on the node selected. The user can change these values if required.

<figure><img src="/files/Tn1e1AAbBPamFbkLVkwZ" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Allocate by Goal Seek</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3:** Enter the target value to be achieved in **Goal Value.** Here the Goal Value is set as 50000.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/6S3Venjt00ZJpZFwjMAn" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Enter Goal Value</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Note:** By clicking on the **Target Node** text box, **'Select a node'** pop-up opens in which you can select a different input node other than what you had chosen previously (for example, in this case *Revenue* node can be changed to a different node)

**Step 4:** From the **Period** dropdown list, choose *Total* if you want to change and distribute the total value. [**Distribute**](/plan/allocation-features/distribute.md) option is displayed if you select *Total*.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/Hb4PLvJQvcAJrtaTBIGk" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Distribute the Total after changing the Input Node</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

(or) choose *any month (Jan)* if you want to copy to the remaining periods. [**Copy to Periods**](/plan/allocation-features/copy-to-periods.md) option gets displayed if you choose a specific period.

<figure><img src="/files/9lhNivqXmo9Ku449n9nZ" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Copy to Periods after changing the Input Node</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 5:** Select the **Input Variable** from the list that appears on clicking it, whose change will result in achieving the goal value. The input variable selected in the example below is *Units Sold* node. The changed value of January is copied in an increasing trend of 10% to the remaining periods.

<figure><img src="/files/WumE2xQuX6YDRAgLoxpj" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Copy to Periods after changing the Units Sold Node</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Note:** To preview your change, click on **View Goal Values.**&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/crnPNwXccQ0qYawXq8us" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Preview Goal Values</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

**Step 6:** Click **Run** to see the results and then Click **Apply** or continue performing goal seek until you get the desired result.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/K7pW3DkzNuBbEbSZ2pjH" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Run, Preview and Apply</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

Finally, the new series is created as shown below for the desired target node, by changing the input variable. All the changed cells are highlighted in yellow in the table grid.

<figure><img src="/files/qsUOSiEeGIyzjU0S4WQ7" alt=""><figcaption><p><strong>Updated Results with Goal Seek</strong> </p></figcaption></figure>


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