How to Make Excel Solver Test Integers: A Time-Saving Guide

Understanding the Problem

By default, Excel Solver uses decimal values to represent variables. This can lead to unnecessary computational time when testing integer constraints. For instance, if you are testing a problem where all variables must be integers between 0 and 100, Excel Solver will waste time calculating decimal values that are not valid integers.

Setting Integer Constraints

To make Excel Solver test integers faster, you need to set the appropriate integer constraints. Here's how:

Step 1: Set the Problem Type

Go to the Data tab, then click on Solver. In the Solver Parameters dialog box, set the problem type to Max or Min, depending on your problem.

Step 2: Set the Integer Constraints

Click on the Add button under By Changing Variable Cells to add a constraint. In the Cell Reference field, enter the cell address of the variable you want to set as an integer. In the Operator field, select Is. In the Value field, enter 0 or 1, depending on whether the variable is a lower or upper bound. Finally, click on the Add button to add another constraint with the same variable but with the opposite bound.

Step 3: Test the Integer Constraints

Now that you have set the integer constraints, you can test your problem. Go back to the Solver Parameters dialog box and set the Assume Linear Model option to No. Then, click on the Solve button to run the Solver. Excel Solver should now test the integer constraints much faster.

In this article, we explored how to make Excel Solver test integers faster by setting the appropriate integer constraints. By following the steps outlined above, you can save valuable time when testing integer constraints in Excel Solver.