Solver comes pre-installed with both Windows and Mac versions of Excel, but you’ll have to enable it manually.
If you have an existing Excel file you’d like to use Solver with, you can open it instead of creating a new file.
On a Mac, click Tools instead, then skip the next step.
On a Mac, click Excel Add-ins in the Tools menu.
On a Mac, this window will open after clicking Excel Add-ins in the Tools menu.
On a Mac, this window will open after clicking Excel Add-ins in the Tools menu.
For example, you might create a spreadsheet documenting your various expenses over the course of a month with the output cell resulting in your money left over. You can’t use solver on a spreadsheet which doesn’t have solvable data (i. e. , your data has to have equations).
For example, if you’re creating a budget where the end goal is your monthly income, you would click the final “Income” cell.
For example, if your goal is to have $200 at the end of the month, you would type 200 into the text box. You can also check either the “Max” or “Min” box in order to prompt Solver to determine the absolute maximum or minimum value. Once you’ve set a goal, Solver will attempt to meet that goal by adjusting other variables in your spreadsheet.
Click Add Click the cell (or select the cells) for which the constraint applies. Select a type of constraint from the middle drop-down menu. Enter the constraint’s number (e. g. , a maximum or minimum). Click OK
If you do like your Solver’s results, you can apply them to your spreadsheet by checking the “Keep Solver Solution” box and then clicking OK.
If you do like your Solver’s results, you can apply them to your spreadsheet by checking the “Keep Solver Solution” box and then clicking OK.
