11.2 Scenario Manager
In short: Scenario Manager stores sets of input values (scenarios) and switches between them or summarises them.
Scenario Manager stores sets of input values (scenarios) and switches between them or summarises them.
| Scenario | Orders/day (B2) | AOV (B3) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 400 | ₹320 |
| Ganeshotsav | 520 | ₹340 |
| Monsoon slump | 330 | ₹300 |
About this data: Teaching sample for a fictional shop “Orbit Logistics”. Figures and names (e.g. Meera Joshi) are made up for this lesson on scenario manager.
Steps in Excel
- Name the input cells first (Name Box:
OrdersPerDay,AOV) and the result (Profit) – the summary report then shows names instead of addresses. - Data › Forecast › What-If Analysis › Scenario Manager… › Add…
- Scenario name
Normal› Changing cellsB2:B3› OK › enter 400 and 320 › Add to create the next scenario (Ganeshotsav 520/340, Monsoon slump 330/300) › OK. - Select a scenario › Show to put its values into the model.
- Summary… › Result cells
B13› Scenario summary › OK. A new sheet shows all scenarios side by side.
Result (Profit): Normal −₹94,800; Ganeshotsav +₹67,920; Monsoon slump −₹1,92,600.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
The scenario summary sheet is static – it doesn't update when the model changes, and many students send the manager an old summary. When the model changes, generate the Summary again. And name the input cells first, otherwise the summary shows things like "$B$2", which are hard to read.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
Scenario summary sheet static असते – model बदलला तर ती update होत नाही, बरेच students जुना summary manager ला पाठवतात. Model बदलला की Summary पुन्हा generate करा. आणि input cells ना आधी नावं द्या, नाहीतर summary मध्ये "$B$2" असं वाचायला कठीण दिसतं.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
Scenario summary sheet static होती है – model बदलने पर वह update नहीं होती, और बहुत से students manager को पुराना summary भेज देते हैं. Model बदलते ही Summary दोबारा generate करो. और input cells को पहले नाम दो, वरना summary में "$B$2" जैसा दिखता है जो पढ़ना मुश्किल है.
Practice task
Add a fourth scenario "Diwali" (600 orders/day, AOV ₹360, delivery cost ₹32) and create a scenario summary with Profit and Revenue as result cells.
Loading practice tasks...
- Base revenue (Easy): Revenue in the base case (column C).
- Best revenue (Easy): Revenue in the best case (column B).
- Base variable cost (Easy): Variable cost in the base case.
- Base profit (Medium): Base case: units × (price − cost per unit) − fixed cost.
- Worst profit (Medium): Worst case profit, same way.
- Best minus worst profit (Medium): Best case profit minus worst case profit.
- Base margin per unit (Medium): Base price minus base cost per unit.
- Break-even units (base) (Hard): Base fixed cost ÷ base margin per unit, rounded up.
- Worst case loses money? (Hard): Is the worst case profit below 0? (TRUE or FALSE)
- Best profit margin % (Hard): Best case profit ÷ best case revenue, rounded to 3 decimals.
Worked example — scenario manager
Why
Priya Deshmukh in Pune and Emma Clarke abroad both need a clear, repeatable way to use scenario manager on a Skyline Clinics sheet without breaking totals.
What
Scenario Manager is the Excel idea this page teaches. We will walk one tiny example end to end.
How
- Open a blank sheet. In A1 type a short label for scenario manager.
- Enter a small made-up value for Priya Deshmukh using € where money appears.
- Add a second value for Emma Clarke using € so you see mixed currencies stay numeric.
- Apply the method from this lesson step by step (menu or formula as shown above).
- Check the result still works inside SUM or a simple check cell.
Formula / action
Follow the formula or ribbon steps shown in this lesson (keep values numeric).Meaning: Once scenario manager is correct on one row, copy the same pattern down the column.
Quick revision cards
Three standalone cards. Each one explains the idea with its own example. Scan the QR to open this lesson.
