Instructions for Loading Excel's Solver Add-in

Most of the Excel templates used in this course make use of the Goal Seek... option (under the Tools menu) to solve one equation with one unknown. Four of the templates, however, make use of Excel's Solver add-in to solve a system of equations (e.g., two equations with two unknowns).

In order for this feature to work, the Solver add-in file must be installed. [Depending on how Excel was initially set up on your computer, you may not have access to all of Excel's add-in features, including Solver. If Solver was not installed, see installation instructions below.] To run Solver, simply choose Solver... from the Tools menu.

When the Solver Parameters dialogue box appears (see above), simply click on the Close button. Then, after you have changed the value of one of the parameters underlying the model, you may again open Solver... from the Tools menu and click the Solve button. Excel will run the Solver add-in and notify you when it has determined the solution values.

Installing Solver

If you are using Excel 8 for Office 97 (Windows) or Excel for Mac Office 98, or later, then all add-ins placed in the Excel Add-Ins folder are automatically loaded by Excel when the application is launched. If you are using Excel version 5 (under Windows or Mac OS) then Solver must be installed before you can solve these mathematical problems.

To install Solver, select Tools/Add-Ins... Excel displays a dialogue box with a list of all Add-ins currently available. Scroll down the list and check the box next to the Solver add-in. Click OK. Excel will install the add-in and place a new menu item (Solver...) under the Tools menu.

If Solver add-in does not appear on the list, then you must run Excel's Setup program (of the Setup program for Microsoft Office). Under Windows 95, click the Start button. Select Settings, then Control Panels. Double-click the icon to Add/Remove programs, select the Install/Uninstall tab, select Microsoft Office application, then select the Add/Remove command button and follow the instructions on screen.

If you have any trouble downloading or running these Excel files, or have some comments about how they work, or have some suggestions on how they could be improved, please send me a message. I'll do my best to get back to you right away!