Part IV: Managing and Analyzing Data
data table fairly easily, but data tables have some limitations. In particular, a data table
can deal with only one or two input cells at a time. This limitation becomes clear as you
view the examples.
Scenario Manager, discussed later in this chapter (see “Using Scenario Manager”), can produce a report that sum-
marizes any number of input cells and result cells.
Don’t confuse a data table with a standard table (created by choosing Insert ➪ Tables ➪
Table). These two features are completely independent.
Creating a one-input data table
A one-input data table displays the results of one or more formulas for various values of a
single input cell. Figure 31.2 shows the general layout for a one-input data table. You need
to set up the table manually yourself. This is not something that Excel will do for you.
FIGURE 31.2
How a one-input data table is set up
Not used
Results of the one-input data
table returned by Excel
Value of the
single input cell
Formulas, or
references to
formula cells
You can place the data table anywhere in a worksheet. The left column contains various
values for the single input cell. The top row contains references to formulas located else-
where in the worksheet. You can use a single formula reference or any number of formula
references. The upper-left cell of the table remains empty. Excel calculates the values that
result from each value of the input cell and places them under each formula reference.
