XL: GoalSeek Method in VB Macro Returns the Wrong Answer

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

The GoalSeek method in Visual Basic for Applications may return an answer that is different from the one returned by the Goal Seek command on the Tools menu. The correct answer is the one returned when you choose Goal Seek from the Tools menu.

WORKAROUND

If the GoalSeek method does not return the correct answer, use the Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro command to run the Microsoft Excel 4.0 GOAL.SEEK macro command.

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Example

1. Type the following into a worksheet:

   A1: =(B1^3)+(3*B1^2)+6 B1: (blank)




2. In a module sheet, type the following:

   
         Sub Test()
            Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro "GOAL.SEEK(""r1c1"",15,""r1c2"")"
         End Sub 

   If you want the second parameter (the "To Value" parameter) to refer to a specific cell (D1, for example) on the worksheet, rather than a fixed value, use the following syntax:

   
            Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro "GOAL.SEEK(""r1c1""," & _
               Range("D1").Value & ",""r1c2"")" 

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 6, "Seeking a Value That Solves a Formula"

For more information about the GoalSeek Method, choose the Search button in Visual Basic Reference Help, and type the following:

GoalSeek

Additional query words: 5.00c

Keywords : kbcode kbprg kbtool
Version : MACINTOSH:5.0; WINDOWS:5.0,7.0
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug