How to Use Solver in Microsoft Excel

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Microsoft Excel's Solver tool, which allows you to alter different variables in a spreadsheet in order to achieve a desired solution. You can use Solver in both Windows and Mac versions of Excel, though you'll have to enable Solver before you can begin using it.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Enabling Solver

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    Open Excel. Click or double-click the Excel app icon, which resembles a green box with a white "X" on it.
    • Solver comes pre-installed with both Windows and Mac versions of Excel, but you'll have to enable it manually.
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    Click Blank workbook. This will open the Excel window, from which point you can proceed with enabling Solver.
    • If you have an existing Excel file you'd like to use Solver with, you can open it instead of creating a new file.
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    Click File. It's a tab in the upper-left side of the Excel window.
    • On a Mac, click Tools instead, then skip the next step.
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    Click Options. You'll find this option at the bottom of the File menu. Doing so brings up the Options window.[1]
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    Click Add-ins. It's a tab in the lower-left side of the Options window.
    • On a Mac, click Excel Add-ins in the Tools menu.
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    Open the "Add-ins Available" window. Make sure that the "Manage" text box has "Excel Add-ins" listed in it, then click Go at the bottom of the page.
    • On a Mac, this window will open after clicking Excel Add-ins in the Tools menu.
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    Install the Solver add-in. Check the "Solver" box in the middle of the page, then click OK. Solver should now appear as a tool in the Data tab that's at the top of Excel.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Analyzing and Solving

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    Understand Solver's use. Solver can analyze your spreadsheet's data and any constraints you've added to show you possible solutions. This is useful if you're working with multiple variables.
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    Add your data to your spreadsheet. In order to use Solver, your spreadsheet must have data with different variables and a solution.
    • 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).
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    Click the Data tab. It's at the top of the Excel window. This will open the Data toolbar.
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    Click Solver. You'll find this option in the far-right side of the Data toolbar. Doing so opens the Solver window.
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    Select your target cell. Click the cell in which you want to display your Solver solution. This will add it to the "Set Objective" box.
    • For example, if you're creating a budget where the end goal is your monthly income, you would click the final "Income" cell.
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    Set a goal. Check the "Value Of" box, then type your target value into the text box next to "Value Of".
    • 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.
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    Add constraints. Constraints set restrictions on the values that Solver can use, which prevents Solver from accidentally nullifying one or more of your spreadsheet's values. You can add a constraint by doing the following:[2]
    • 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
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    Run Solver. Once you've added all of your constraints, click Solve at the bottom of the Solver window. This will prompt Solver to find the optimal solution for your problem.
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    Review the results. When Solver alerts you that it has an answer, you can see the answer by looking at your spreadsheet to see which values were changed.
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    Change your Solver criteria. If the output that you received isn't ideal for your spreadsheet, click Cancel in the pop-up window, then adjust your objective and constraints.
    • 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.
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Warnings

  • Solver cannot be used in spreadsheets in which there is no "output" or actual solution. For example, you can't apply solver to a spreadsheet which has no equations.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Load-the-Solver-Add-in-in-Excel-612926fc-d53b-46b4-872c-e24772f078ca#OfficeVersion=Windows
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRm5MEoA3OI

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 589,013 times.
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Co-authors: 25
Updated: July 28, 2022
Views: 589,013
Categories: Microsoft Excel
Article SummaryX

1. Enable Solver in the "Add-ins" section of your Excel preferences if necessary.
2. Open a spreadsheet with data you want to analyze.
3. Click Data, then click Solver.
4. Select a cell to use from the "Set Objective" field.
5. Check the "Value Of" box, then enter a desired value.
6. Click Solve.

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