Shamima Sultana
In Excel, we apply basic to complex formulas. Depending on the scenario the use of the formula’s changes. In case you have any formula dependent on multiple variables, and you want to see how the changes occur with the change of the inputs. You may change all variables individually which is time consuming so you can use the Data Table feature from the Excel ribbon. You can use the What-If_Analysis Data Table tool to observe all values outcomes at a glance. In this article, I’m going to show you an example(s) of Excel data table.
To make the explanation of the examples clearer, I’m going to use the information of any company, Capital, Growth Per Year, Total Revenue, Years, and Revenue in Years.
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Information of Excel Data Table
Before diving into the examples, I want to give some basic ideas of the data table. There are 2 types of data tables.
➤ One-Variable Data Table
One variable data table allows testing a series of values for a single input cell; it can be either Row input cell or Column input cell and shows how those values change the result of a related formula.
It is best suited when you want to see how the eventual result changes when you change the input variables.
➤ Two-Variable Data Table
It allows testing a series of values for a double input cell; You can use both Row input cell and Column input cell and shows how changing two input values of the same formula changes the output
It is best suited when you want to see how the eventual result changes when you change two input variables.
Examples of Excel Data Table
1. One Variable Data Table Example – Generating Total Revenue
I’m going to show you an example of Excel data table by using one variable data of a company. I want to observe the total revenue changes if I use different growth percentages.
As I’ve information of Capital and Growth Per Year of the company. Now, I want to know how the Total Revenue will change for the given percentages.
First, by using the value of Capital and Growth Per Year I’ll determine the Total Revenue.
⏩ In cell C5, type the following formula.
=C3+C3*C4
Here, I multiplied the Capital with the Growth Per Year and then added the result with the Capital to get the Total Revenue.
Press ENTER, and you will get the Total Revenue in the year with 13% growth.
Now, I want to perform a What-If-Analysis to see how the Total Revenue will change if I use the Growth Per Year ranging from 13% to 17% depending on the Capital amount of the company.
To apply one variable Data Table, place the formula of Total Revenue in the F4 cell.
➤ Select the cell range to apply Data Table
I selected the cell range E4:F10
➤ Open Data tab >> from Forecast >> go to What-If-Analysis >> select Data Table
➤ A dialog box will pop up.
From there select any input cell. As I want to see the changes in the column depending on growth per year.
➤ I selected C4 in Column input cell
Finally, click OK.
Result
Hence, you will get the Total Revenue for all the selected percentages at a glance.
Read more: How to create a one variable data table in Excel
2. One Variable Data Table Example – Observing Revenue Change
In the above example, I have shown you how the Total Revenue changes depending on different growth percentages.
Now, I will show you how the Total Revenue will change If I use Capital ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 while keeping the Growth Per Year 13%.
To apply one variable Data Table, place the formula of Total Revenue in the F4 cell.
Here, placed the formula in the F4 cell.
➤ Select the cell range to apply Data Table
I selected the cell range E4:F10
➤ Open Data tab >> from Forecast >> go to What-If-Analysis >> select Data Table
➤ A dialog box will pop up.
From there select any input cell. As I want to see the changes in the column depending on capital.
➤ I selected C3 in Column input cell
Finally, click OK.
Result
Therefore, you will get the Total Revenue for all the selected capitals at a glance.
Read More: How to Create a Data Table in Excel (7 Ways)
3. Example of Row Oriented Data Table
If you want to use one variable data table horizontally then you also can do it.
First, place the formula in the E5 cell.
Then, type the values in a row while keeping one empty row below.
➤ Select the cell range to apply Data Table
I selected the cell range E4:I5
➤ Open Data tab >> from What-If-Analysis >> select Data Table
➤ A dialog box will pop up.
From there select any input cell. As I want to see the changes in a row depending on percentages of growth per year
➤ I selected C4 in Row input cell
Finally, click OK.
Result
Now, you will get the Total Revenue for all the selected percentages
4. Two-Variable Data Table Example
The using steps of two variable data tables are the same as one variable data table except that we enter two ranges of input values.
Here, I’ve modified the dataset a bit, given below.
To calculate Revenue in 3 years,
⏩ In cell C5, type the following formula.
=(C3+C3*C4)*C5
Here, I multiplied the Capital with the Growth Per Year and added the result with the Capital then multiplied it by Years to get the Revenue in 3 years.
Press ENTER, and you will get the Revenue in 3 years with 13% growth.
Now, I want to perform a What-If-Analysis to see how the Revenue will change in different Years with Growth Per Year ranging from 13% to 17% depending on the Capital amount of the company.
To apply a two-variable Data Table, place the formula of Total Revenue in the E4 cell.
➤ Select the cell range to apply Data Table
I selected the cell range E4:I11
➤ Open Data tab >> from What-If-Analysis >> select Data Table
A dialog box will pop up.
From there select two input cells.
➤ I selected C5 in Row input cell
Because, I kept the Years in a row F4:H4
➤ I selected C4 in Column input cell
As I kept Growth Rate in a column E5:E11
Finally, click OK.
Result
Now, you will get the Revenue for all the selected percentages and years.
Read more: How to Create a Two Variable Data Table in Excel
5. Compare Multiple Results Using Data Table
If you want you can compare multiple results using Data Table.
Let me show you a comparison between Revenue and Interest using Data Table. I’m going to use the information given in the dataset below.
First, To calculate the Total Revenue.
⏩ In cell C5, type the following formula.
=C3+C3*C4
Here, I multiplied the Capital with the Growth Per Year and then added the result with the Capital to get the Total Revenue.
Press ENTER, and you will get the Total Revenue in the year with 13% growth.
Now, to calculate the Interest,
⏩ In cell C5, type the following formula.
=C5-C3
Here, I subtracted the Capital from the Total Revenue to get the Interest.
Press ENTER you will get the Interest.
Now, I will compare the Total Revenue and Interest using the Data Table while changing the Growth Per Year ranging from 13% to 17% while the Capital amount is $55,00.
To apply one variable Data Table, place the formula of Total Revenue in the F4 cell.
Again, place the formula of Interest in the G4 cell.
➤ Select the cell range to apply Data Table
I selected the cell range E4:G10
➤ Open Data tab >> from What-If-Analysis >> select Data Table
➤ A dialog box will pop up.
From there select any input cell. As I want to see the changes in the column depending on growth per year.
➤ I selected C4 in Column input cell
Finally, click OK.
Result
Hence, you will get the Total Revenue and Interest for all the selected percentages.
Read More: How to Add Data Table in an Excel Chart (4 Quick Methods)
6. Example of Data Table Modification
You can modify a data table depending on your needs. In this section, I’m going to describe the table modification with examples.
6.1. Edit Data Table
If you want, you can edit the Data Table.
Here, I’ve taken a dataset where the Data Table is already applied to show you an example of editing an Excel data table.
➤ First, select the data table range from where you want to replace or edit data.
I selected the range F4:F10
Now, remove the data table formula from any cell.
Insert the value of your choice and press CTRL + ENTER.
Result
Now, the inserted same value will be in all the selected cells.
As the Data Table formula is gone, you can edit any cell individually.
6.2. Delete Data Table
Naturally, you can’t Delete any cell from the Data Table.
Let me show you how you an example of deleting an Excel Data Table. To perform the task, I’m going to use the dataset given below.
If you try to delete any cell from the data table then it will show you a warning message which is Can’t change part of a data table.
➤ To delete the data table, select the entire range of the data table.
I selected the cell range E3:G10
Now, press DELETE from the keyboard.
Here, the entire data is deleted.
You also can use the menu context to delete the data table.
➤ Select the entire range of the data table.
I selected the cell range E3:G10
Now, right click on the mouse.
➤ From the context menu select Delete
➤ Now, a dialog box will appear then select any Delete option of your choice and click OK.
Here the Data Table is deleted.
Read More: Data Table Not Working in Excel (7 Issues & Solutions)
Things To Remember
In case in your data table, you have multiple variable values and formulas which may slow down your Excel, then you can disable automatic recalculations in that and all other data tables and will speed up recalculations of the entire workbook.
Open Formulas tab >> from Calculation Options >> select Automatic Except Data Tables
🔺 If Data Table is applied then you can’t undo the action.
🔺 Once What-If-Analysis is performed, and the values are calculated then it is impossible to change or modify any cell from the set of values.
Practice Section
I’ve provided practice sheets in the workbook to practice these explained examples.
Conclusion
In this article, I have shown 6 examples of the Excel data table example. Then, I also tried to mention things you need to remember while using the data table. Lastly, if you have any kind of suggestions, ideas, or feedback please feel free to comment down below.
