The Solver add-in may not work or does not find a solution in Excel 2003 and in Excel 2007

When you use the Solver add-in included in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and in Microsoft Office Excel 2003 to find a solution to a problem, Solver may not function. Or, Solver may complete the task, but not find a solution.

This problem may occur when you use VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, IF, or other conditional functions.

To resolve this problem, upgrade Solver to an enhanced version by Frontline Systems. For more information, visit the following Frontline Systems Web site:

Solver is part of a suite of commands sometimes referred to as what-if analysis in one cell (known as the target cell) on a worksheet. Solver works with a group of cells that are related, either directly or indirectly, to the formula in the target cell. Solver adjusts the values in the changing cells you specify (known as the adjustable cells) to produce the result you specify from the target cell formula. You can apply constraints to restrict the values Solver can use in the model, and the constraints can refer to other cells that affect the target cell formula.

Use Solver to determine the maximum or minimum value of one cell by changing other cells. For example, you can change the amount of your projected advertising budget and see the affect on your projected profit amount.

Terms

What-if analysis

A process of changing the values in cells to see how those changes affect the outcome of formulas on the worksheet. For example, varying the interest rate that is used in an amortization table to determine the amount of the payments. With Solver, you can find an optimal value for a formula.

Formula

A sequence of values, cell references, names, functions, or operators in a cell that together produce a new value. A formula always begins with an equal sign (=).

Constraints

The limitations placed on a Solver problem. You can apply constraints to adjustable cells, the target cell, or other cells that are directly or indirectly related to the target cell.

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