Load the Solver Add-in in Excel

The Solver Add-in is a Microsoft Office Excel add-in program that is available when you install Microsoft Office or Excel.

To use the Solver Add-in, however, you first need to load it in Excel.

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1. In Excel 2010 and later, go to File > Options

   Note: For Excel 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Excel Options.

2. Click Add-Ins, and then in the Manage box, select Excel Add-ins.

3. Click Go.

4. In the Add-Ins available box, select the Solver Add-in check box, and then click OK.

   Notes: 

   •  If the Solver Add-in is not listed in the Add-Ins available box, click Browse to locate the add-in.

   • If you get prompted that the Solver Add-in is not currently installed on your computer, click Yes to install it.

5. After you load the Solver Add-in, the Solver command is available in the Analysis group on the Data tab.

1. On the Tools menu, select Excel Add-Ins.

2. In the Add-Ins available box, select the Solver Add-In check box, and then click OK.

   • If Solver Add-in is not listed in the Add-Ins available box, click Browse to locate the add-in.

   • If you get a prompt that the Solver add-in is not currently installed on your computer, click Yes in the dialog box to install it.

   After you load the Solver add-in, the Solver button is available on the Data tab.

The Solver add-in from Frontline Systems isn't currently available for Excel on mobile devices.

Solver is a free add-in for Excel 2013 with SP1 and later. For more information, search for Solver in the Office Store.

The Solver add-in from Frontline Systems isn't currently available for Excel on mobile devices.

Solver is a free add-in for Excel 2013 with SP1 and later. For more information, search for Solver in the Office Store.

The Solver add-in from Frontline Systems isn't currently available for Excel on mobile devices.

Solver is a free add-in for Excel 2013 with SP1 and later. For more information, search for Solver in the Office Store.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community, get support in the Answers community, or suggest a new feature or improvement on Excel User Voice.

See Also

Define and solve a problem by using Solver

Overview of formulas in Excel

How to avoid broken formulas

Use error checking to detect errors in formulas

Keyboard shortcuts in Excel 2016 for Windows

Keyboard shortcuts in Excel 2016 for Mac

Excel functions (alphabetical)

Excel functions (by category)