How To Use The Excel Solver Add In
Follow the steps below to learn how to use the Solver in Excel.
In Excel for Windows, if you don't see the Solver command or the Analysis group on the Data tab, you need to load the Solver add-in.
1. Click the File tab, click Options, and then click the Add-ins category.
2. In the Manage box, click Excel Add-ins, and then click Go.
3. In the Add-ins available box, select the Solver Add-in check box. If you don't see this name in the list, click the Browse... button and navigate to the folder containing Solver.xlam. Then click OK.
4. Now on the Data tab, in the Analysis group, you should see the Solver command.
In Excel for Macintosh, if you don't see the Solver command on the Tools menu, you need to load the Solver add-in.
1. Click the Tools menu, then click the Add-ins command.
2. In the Add-ins available box, select the Solver.xlam check box. If you don't see this name in the list, click the Select... button and navigate to the folder containing Solver.xlam. Then click OK.
3. Now on the Tools menu, you should see the Solver command.
In Excel Online for Office 365, Excel Web App for SharePoint, or Excel on iPad, use the Solver add-in. If you don't see the Solver Task Pane in your worksheet, you need to insert the Solver add-in: Follow the steps in Microsoft Office Support on How to get an Office Add-in for Excel.
1. Open the workbook where you want to use Solver. Click the Insert tab, then click the My Add-ins button.
2. Solver appears in the Recently Used Add-ins dropdown list, select it there, and skip to step 4.
3. Select See All... from the dropdown menu. In the Office Add-ins dialog, find and select Solver under
My Add-ins or My Organization.
If this is your first time using the Solver add-in, click Store, and look in the Data Analytics category. Click to see the Solver add-in listing in the Office Store.
4. The Solver Task Pane should appear. Click File Save As, and save to your Office 365 or SharePoint document library, or OneDrive or OneDrive for Business folder.
5. Now when you open your workbook, the Solver Task Pane should appear automatically.
NOTE: Although the Solver add-in can be used in both desktop Excel and Excel for the Web, because your model is solved "in the cloud," this Solver add-in works only with Excel workbooks that are stored online. If you want to solve a workbook model that is stored on your local PC, use the Solver included with desktop Excel, or one of Frontline's enhanced Solvers for desktop Excel.