Excel Break-Even Analysis
In simple terms, the break-even point is where our total cost is equal to the total revenue earned, so we can call this situation as “no profit no loss”. In graphics, the break-even point is where revenue total and total cost curves meet.
All the business models estimate their revenue and expenditure for the year, quarter, and month to know what is their break-even point in the business. In this article, we will show you how to calculate the “Break-Even” Analysis in excel. I
So Break Even is Revenue – Total Costs = 0
In economics we call break-even point as “the point of indifference” and this analysis informs the management to know what is the minimum revenue required to cover its expenses.
Calculation of Break-Even points is different for industry to industry. If the company is a Product selling company then the number of units sold will be considered and if the company is Services Company then it will be a different strategy.
How to do Break-Even Analysis in Excel?
Example #1 – Using Goal Seek Tool
Company A has prepared 58 electronic devices, it has incurred a total fixed cost of 8 Per Unit and variable cost of 6 per unit. Now this company doesn’t know at what price they need to sell these 58 devices to achieve the break-even point.
Construct this scenario in excel worksheet, if you don’t know how to construct then follow image formulas.
Now to find the break-even point our profit amount should be zero.
- Open GOAL SEEK option from the DATA tab under What-If-Analysis in excel.
- Now we can see below Goal Seek window.
- Set Cell will which cell we need to modify the value, in this case, we need to modify the Profit cell so select B10 cell.
- To Value means the Set Cell value should be what??? In this case, we need the Profit cell to be zero, so enter the value as 0.
- Last option is By Changing cell i.e. By changing which cell we need the profit value as 0. In this case, we need to find what should be the selling price to achieve the Break-Even point. So select the B7 cell.
- Now click on Ok, Goal Seek will find the “Selling Price” required to achieve the Break-Even Point.
So, Company A has to sell the electronic devices at 14 per unit to achieve the Break-Even point.
Similarly using the same Goal Seek analysis you can find the selling price required to achieve the profit of 5000.
- For this again open Goal Seek window and select the Profit Cell for Set cell option and To Value will be 5000 and By Changing cell will be Selling Price cell i.e. B7 cell.
- This should give the required Selling Price to achieve 5000 profit.
So in order to achieve a profit of 4000 Company A has to sell at 114 per unit!!!.
Example #2 – Construct a Break-Even Table
Ms. Alisa is an entrepreneur who produces notebooks and her costing model is as follows.
- Fixed Cost = 4000
- Variable Cost = 8 Per Unit
- Selling Price = 25 Per Unit.
Now she wants to know how many units she needs to produce to achieve the Break-Even Point. Let’s help Ms. Alisa through our excel break-even analysis.
- Now construct a table like below.
- For Fixed Cost, Simply give cell link to B2 and make it an absolute reference.
- For Variable also enter the formula as No. of Units * Variable Cost Per Unit
- For Total cost add “Fixed + Variable”.
- For Revenue arrive the formula as No. of Units * Selling Price Per Unit.
- For-Profit enter the formula as Revenue – Total Cost.
- Now drag the formula of all the cells to 10 rows.
- Now for No. of Units start filing from 100 to 300.
From G13th cell Profit is showing positive numbers, so to achieve Break-Even Point Ms. Alisa needs to produce approximately 236 units.
- Now for the same data let’s create Break-Even Chart. Select Total Cost, Revenue, and Profit column for this.
- Insert line chart with markers.
So the point where curves of “Revenue & Total Cost” intersects is called the Break-Even Point.
Things to Remember
- Break-Even is the point where the business stands at no profit no loss scenario.
- Break-Even analysis is best suited for the production industry.
- To find break-even in units formula is FC / (SP – VC).
- The intersection point of both revenue & total cost curves is called a break-even point.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Break-Even Analysis in Excel. Here we discuss how to do Break-Even Analysis using goal seek tool and construct a break-even table along with examples and downloadable template. You may also look at these useful functions in excel –
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