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rockyhimalayas's avatar
rockyhimalayas
Copper Contributor
Sep 23, 2020
Solved

Find the formula used

How do I find out what was the formula used to get the numbers in the D column using all or a few of the numbers in A, B, and C columns in Excel? I had received this data in pdf.
  • Riny_van_Eekelen's avatar
    Riny_van_Eekelen
    Sep 24, 2020

    rockyhimalayas By trial and error and some logic. No particular Excel skills needed.

    First, I noted that the last two in D were half of A. Then I added B and noticed that the difference with the desired result (where B <> 0), consistently amounted to 10% of B. Hence, adding 0.9 x B did the trick.

    If I had not seen the relationship at once, I would have continued with Goal Seek, I guess.

     

    Notice though that I said that the formula could be lik that. It is very possible that there are other conditions is the real underlying formula that just don't impact the end result for this five examples given. Better check with the author of the original sheet, if possible.

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