Excel 2007. Find solutions in Excel 2007

Add-in Finding solutions in Excel 2007 is not standard. It is intended for complex calculations, when there is more than one unknown. Therefore, it is not included in the usual set of program parameters. But if it is necessary, it can offer the user effective work and high productivity.

What is Finding Solutions?

Searching for solutions in Excel 2007 is an add-in for the program. This means that this package is not installed in the usual configuration produced by the manufacturer. It needs to be downloaded and configured separately. The fact is that most users do without it. Also, the add-on is often called "Solver", because it is able to conduct accurate and rapid calculations, often no matter how difficult the task is presented to it.

If the version of Microsoft Office is original, then there will be no problems with the installation. The user needs to make several transitions:

Options → Tools → Add-ins → Manage → Excel Add-ins.

A window opens with a navigation button. After clicking on it, a list of all proposed add-ins, both installed and unused, appears on the screen. Now you need to find the solutions, then tick. The tool is activated, you can use it at any time.

Why do we need a Solver?

Why can I use Solution Search in Excel 2007, and is it worth it to install it at all? When a user has a target function that depends on several parameters, the add-in will select the solution of the problem in accordance with the original data. This may be a variable, unknown or, for example, the final value. That is, the user can have initial characteristics and the answer, and the program will pick up a course of the decision, will give the formula.

Thus, using the add-in you can find:

• The successful allocation of labor resources to achieve maximum profit in the course of the company's activities or a separate department, branch.
• Distribution of investments with minimized risks.
• Solving problems where there is more than one unknown (several answers will be offered, from which the user himself will select the most suitable one).
• Saving and loading the solution model. The best option for employees who are forced to constantly change their computer or laptop.
• Solution of several problems with different variables, unknowns, formulas and integrals.

The program offers great opportunities, but it needs to learn how to use it correctly.

How does Solver work?

In addition to the solver, Excel has a function such as parameter selection. It is recommended for use in cases where there is only one unknown value. This feature of the program requires much less resource computer costs, so it will produce results faster.

Solution search in Excel 2007 is used for the most complex tasks, where there are several unknowns, often there are variables. In the general formulation, they can be formulated as follows:

1. Find the unknown → several "x".
2. Provided that → a formula or function.
3. With constraints, → it is usually indicated here an inequality or a minimum / maximum value.

You also need to specify the cells with which to perform calculations. It is possible to solve several different tasks if you specify the appropriate parameters for the program.

Configuring the Solution Search Options

In order for the Solution Search function in Excel 2007 to work as the user needs, you need to enter the correct parameters. Typically, they are limited to 1-3 characteristics, but with more complex tasks, global configuration is required.

The options in Office Excel 2007 Solution Search can be:

• Maximum time is the number of seconds that a user allocates to a program for a solution. It depends on the complexity of the task.
• Maximum number of integrations. This is the number of moves that the program makes on the way to solving the problem. If it increases, the answer will not be received.
• Accuracy or accuracy is most often used to solve decimal fractions (eg, to 0.0001).
• Tolerance. Used when working with percentages.
• Non-negative values. Applicable when a function with two correct answers is solved (for example, +/- X).
• Showing the results of integrations. This setting is indicated in case if not only the result of decisions is important, but also their progress.
• The search method is the choice of the optimization algorithm. Usually, the Newton method is used.

After all the settings are selected, you must press the save button.

Task Parameters in the Find Functions

The work of such an add-on as Solution search in Excel is performed in accordance with the specified characteristics of the calculation. The most important of these is the method. There are two options. "Newton's method" is the default setting. It is able to work with greater memory, but less integration. Therefore, for standard and not particularly complicated equations it is quite suitable.

Also there is a "conjugate gradient method". It requires less memory, but requires more integration. Therefore, when using it, one can solve the most complicated equations, use scale formulas and functions.

Formula in Excel

There is an obligatory element, without which the add-in Solution Search can not function in the Excel 2007 program - the formula. They represent an expression that performs a particular calculation. Equality does not exist without equality. Therefore, the program does not begin to recognize it when there is no corresponding sign.

The formula can include the following:

1. Function. This is the standard formula, where there is a specific and specific order of actions, which can not be changed.
2. Link. It indicates the number of cells that need to be solved. In this case, the cells can be located chaotically or in a certain order.
3. Operator. It is a symbol that specifies the type of calculation (+ - addition, * - multiplication, etc.).
4. Constant. A constant value that never changes. Also, you do not need to perform calculations to get it.

The solution of the formulas is carried out from left to right, observing all mathematical rules.

Creating a formula

Formulas are equations that facilitate the execution of program calculations. If you do not enter them, then the solution will not work in Excel. Tasks, respectively, will not be solved either. Therefore, to successfully perform the task, you must correctly enter the formula.

The calculation begins with an equal sign. For example, if the cell specifies "= ROOT (cell number)", then the corresponding function will be used.

After the basic formula with the sign "=" was printed, you need to indicate the data with which it will interact. It can be one or more cells. If the formula is suitable for 2-3 cells, then you can combine them using the "+" sign.

To find the information you need, you can use the search function. For example, if you need a formula with the letter "A", then you need to specify it. Then the user will be offered all the data that includes it.

Conclusion

Finally, in Excel 2007, you need to save the specified task solution settings. There are several ways to do this. The standard version with a click on the corresponding button is suitable in the case when all data uses one calculation method.

When it is necessary to solve several equations at once, for example, to find the minimum and maximum of functions, then it is necessary to save not all the calculation, but its models. Then the user can apply them to a particular solution.