The ability to input values into the dashboard is a very useful feature. In the following example, we have a sales forecast that changes according to an inputted number value. If we were to use a slider component for the input value, it would be more difficult for the user to select their desired input value. Another good example could be a search box to find a value on a selector which has over 100 items. This way you don't need to hunt for your value. Instead, you can just type it in.

In this recipe, we will create an input textbox to control a what-if scenario.

Getting ready

Create a chart with its values bound to cells that will be controlled by the input textbox value. The following is an example of a sales forecast chart and its cells that are controlled by the what-if scenario:

Tip

You may refer to the source file Inputting data values.xlf from the code bundle to retrieve the pre-populated data from the preceding image if you don't want to manually type everything...