To create a scenario in Excel, begin with the worksheet that you want to add scenarios to, and choose Tools->Scenarios from the menu bar. This will display the Scenario Manager.

 

 

To create a scenario, click the Add button to display the Add Scenario dialogue box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The add scenario dialogue is where you specify a name for the given scenario, and where you enter the cells that will have value changes according to this scenario. To enter a name, make sure that your cursor is in the Scenario Name text box and type a name that describes the scenario you are creating.

 

Next, decide which cells you want to change with this scenario, and then put your cursor in the Changing Cells text box. Select the cells that will be changing with your mouse (remember to use the Ctrl button for non adjacent selections).

 

If the Add Scenario dialogue box gets in the way when making selections, you can drag it to one side with your mouse, or collapse it by clicking the collapse dialogue button.

 

You can also add some remarks describing the scenario in the Comment area if you wish.

 

You will see two check boxes at the bottom of the dialogue box that are labelled Prevent changes, and Hide, respectively. If you check the Prevent Changes box, changes to this scenario will not be permitted if the corresponding worksheet is protected. If you check the Hide box, the scenario will be hidden if the corresponding worksheet is protected.

 

When you have entered a name, the cells to be changed, and some comments, click OK to show the Scenario Values box.

 

 

Here you will see a series of text boxes labelled with the cell references for the changing cells. In each text box, you should enter the appropriate value for this scenario.

 

 When you use this scenario, the values you enter here, will be loaded into the corresponding worksheet. Remember, you can move between text boxes by pressing the Tab key.

 

Click OK to create the scenario; you will then see the scenario manager box with the scenario you just created available in the scenario list area.

 

You can see the changing cells in the Changing cells area, and any comments you entered for this scenario are also visible.