This wikiHow teaches you how to use Microsoft Excel's built-in Solver tool, which allows you to change various variables on a spreadsheet to get the solution you want. You can use the Solver feature in Excel, both Windows and Mac versions, but you need to enable this feature before you can use it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Enabling the Solver Feature
Step 1. Open Excel
Click or double-click the Excel icon, which looks like a green box with an "X" above it.
Solver is included as a built-in feature on Windows and Mac versions of Excel, but you need to enable it manually
Step 2. Click Blank workbook
An Excel window will open and after that, you can activate Solver.
If you have a saved Excel file that needs to be managed or processed using Solver, open it instead of creating a new document
Step 3. Click File
This tab is in the upper-left corner of the Excel window.
On a Mac computer, click “ Tools ”, then skip the next step.
Step 4. Click Options
This option is at the bottom of the “ File The “Options” window will load afterwards.
Step 5. Click Add-ins
It's in the lower-left corner of the "Options" window.
On a Mac computer, click “ Excel Add-ins "from the menu" Tools ”.
Step 6. Open the "Add-ins Available" window
Make sure the “Manage” text field displays the “Excel Add-ins” option, then click “ Go ” at the bottom of the page.
On Mac computers, this window will open after you click “ Excel Add-ins " on the menu " Tools ”.
Step 7. Install the Solver add-on or feature
Check the “Solver” box in the middle of the page, then click “ OK Solver features or add-ons will now appear as tools on the “ Data ” at the top of the Excel window.
Part 2 of 2: Using the Solver Feature
Step 1. Understand how Solver works
This feature can analyze the spreadsheet data and the constraints you add to show possible solutions. This feature is useful when you are working with multiple variables.
Step 2. Add data to the spreadsheet
In order to use the Solver feature, the spreadsheet must already contain data with multiple variables and a single solution.
- For example, you could create a spreadsheet that documents the various expenses in a month, with an output box showing your remaining funds.
- You can't use Solver on a spreadsheet that doesn't have data that can be solved (eg the data must have an equation).
Step 3. Click the Data tab
This tab is at the top of the Excel window. Toolbar Data ” will be opened afterwards.
Step 4. Click Solver
This option is at the far right of the toolbar " Data " After that, the “Solver” window will be opened.
Step 5. Select the target box
Click the box that you want to use to display the solution from Solver. The box code will be added to the " Set Objective " column.
For example, if you are creating a fund budget that produces monthly income information, click the final "Income" box on the spreadsheet
Step 6. Set goals
Check the " Value Of " box, then type the target value or data in the text field next to " Value Of ".
- For example, if your goal is to earn 5 million rupiah at the end of the month, type 5000000 into the text field (the number format will be adjusted automatically by Excel).
- You can also check the " Max " or " Min " box to allow Solver to specify an absolute maximum or minimum value.
- After setting a goal, Solver will try to meet that goal by adjusting the other variables in the spreadsheet.
Step 7. Add restrictions
The existence of a constraint will narrow or tighten the values that Solver can use so that the feature will not eliminate or ignore one or more data on the spreadsheet. You can add a constraint in the following ways:
- Click " Add ”.
- Click or select the boxes containing the constraints.
- Select a constraint type from the middle drop-down menu.
- Enter the limit number (eg maximum or minimum).
- Click " OK ”.
Step 8. Run Solver
After adding all the restrictions, click “ Solve ” at the bottom of the “Solver” window. The feature will find the optimal solution for the problem or case that you specify.
Step 9. Review the results
When Solver notifies you that an answer has been found, you can look at it by looking at the spreadsheet for values or data that have changed.
Step 10. Change the Solver criteria
If the output you get is not ideal, click Cancel ” in the pop-up window, then adjust the new goals and constraints.
