BUG: Quick Access Toolbar "Scenario" button

Question

There is a bug with Excel's Quick Access Toolbar "Scenario" pull-down list/button. When using it to switch from the first scenario to any other scenario, a window wrongly pops up asking whether the user wants to "Redefine [1st scenario] based on current cells." 

This message should only pop up when you have changed the current scenario values and then select the same scenario.  Editing the cell values within the worksheet (for cells specified as scenario's changing cells) and then selecting the same scenario is a convenient, quick way to change the scenario's "saved values" (without having to edit the scenario cell values within the scenario manager).  But the "Redefine [scenario]..." prompt should not pop up when simply changing from the first scenario to any other scenario.

This "bug" only occurs when using the Quick Access Toolbar "Scenario" switcher.  It does not occur when simply changing scenarios within the scenario manager.

Answer 1

But this is not a "suggestion for a new feature" that users should need to gather votes & support in order to convince Excel developers to consider this request.  So I wouldn't think that I should have to post this "suggestion" at excel.uservoice.com. 

This is not a suggestion....it is an Excel BUG that needs to be fixed.

Thank you,

Travis

Answer 2

I believe you are mistaken.  Excel does NOT prompt this confirmation when you simply switch between scenarios to view the different results.  Try it using Excel Scenario Manger.  Highlight a different Scenario and click Show.  The prompt will NOT appear. 

It DOES appear if your are currently viewing Scenario 1, then you change values in the worksheet for some of the scenario's changing cells, and then you show Scenario 1 again, without first selecting a different scenario.  You get prompted as to whether you want to use the new values as Scenario 1's values.  This is the way it is supposed to work.

However, when using the QAT toolbar button, it ALWAYS prompts you with the message when switching from Scenario 1 to another scenario (regardless of whether you have changed any values in the worksheet).

THIS IS A BUG (with the Quick Access Toolbar Scenario drop-down chooser), and is NOT the expected or proper behavior for Excel's Scenario Manager.

Answer 3

Marj,

I typically use both the Analysis ToolPak and Solver Add-Ins, but this bug occurs regardless of whether I have those add-ins enabled.  It occurs on every PC I have tried.  This bug did not occur with previous, older versions of Excel...it appears to have been introduced in one of the more recent Excel versions.  (I currently do not have an older version of Excel with which to test it.)

You should be able to easily reproduce this error yourself by adding the Scenario drop-down-list to the Quick Access Toolbar.  Create a couple of scenarios and then use the Scenario QAT quick-switcher to change from the first scenario to another scenario.  You should notice the same “Redefine [first scenario]....” prompt.  Screenshots are below.

Travis

Answer 4

Hi Travis

Thank you. Click on "Help" on your ribbon bar, then look for the smiley face. That will allow you to submit feedback.

Answer 5

Your are correct, when highlighting a scenario in Scenario manager and click show - no errors. You can give your suggestions in https://excel.uservoice.com/

for developers to consider.

Thank you.