The Solver Add-in for Excel

The Solver add-in for Microsoft Excel comes with Microsoft Excel. An add-in is simply a hidden workbook that adds commands or features to Excel.

Typically, the Solver add-in is not installed when Excel is installed. To see if this is the case for your machine, do the following: File, Options, Manage Excel Add-ins in the selection box, then click GO

A dialog like the following will appear:

You normally will see the Solver Add-in in the list. However, when you click on its checkbox and then the OK button, you are asked to install the Add-in. If you need to use it, you should say “yes”.

For directions on using Solver, view this tutorial.

Alternative to Solver

Many Excel users need to do simple goal-seeking versus using Solver. Often users need to do multiple goal seek solutions. If this is your situation, check out the Multi-Cell Goal Seeker.