How to Use WPS Solver on macOS

This section includes 6 how-to topics, all available without membership, so you can jump to the task you need from the index below.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver

1. Open the worksheet you want to analyze in WPS Spreadsheet.
2. Click the Data tab.
3. Click the What-If Analysis menu.
4. Select Solver.
5. Confirm that the Solver Parameters dialog appears.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The Solver Parameters dialog is visible.
• Next action available: You can continue to set the objective cell, variable cells, and constraints.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If you are not in an editable spreadsheet view, the Solver entry may not be visible.

2. Set the objective cell

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver → Set Objective

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog first.
2. In the Set Objective area, select the target cell.
3. Choose Max, Min, or Value Of based on your goal.
4. If you choose Value Of, enter the target number.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The objective cell reference and objective type are shown in the dialog.
• Next action available: You can continue to set variable cells and constraints.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: The objective cell should be a calculated result cell, not a regular input cell.

3. Set the variable cells

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver → By Changing Variable Cells

1. In the Solver Parameters dialog, find the By Changing Variable Cells box.
2. Click the box and select the cells you want Solver to adjust.
3. If you need multiple non-adjacent cells, use the normal multi-selection method on your keyboard while selecting them.
4. Confirm that the selected cells are related to the objective cell through formulas.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The variable cell references are displayed in the dialog.
• Next action available: You can continue to add constraints and run Solver.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Selecting cells that are not related to the objective formula can produce unusable results.

4. Add constraints

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver → Add Constraint

1. In the Solver Parameters dialog, click Add in the constraints area.
2. In the dialog that opens, select the constrained cell or range.
3. Set the relationship, such as greater than or equal to, less than or equal to, equal to, or integer.
4. Enter the constraint value or reference another cell.
5. Click OK to save the current constraint.
6. Repeat the process if you need more constraints.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The new constraint appears in the constraint list.
• Next action available: You can choose a solving method and start solving.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Missing an important business constraint can make the result unusable.

5. Choose a solving method

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver → Select a Solving Method

1. In the Solver Parameters dialog, find the Select a Solving Method menu.
2. Choose a method that matches your model type.
3. For a linear model, select the method intended for linear solving.
4. For a nonlinear model, select the corresponding nonlinear method.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The selected solving method is shown in the menu.
• Next action available: You can click Solve to start the calculation.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Using a method that does not match the model type can affect the result.

6. Solve and review the result

Feature entry: Data → What-If Analysis → Solver → Solve

1. Check that the objective cell, variable cells, constraints, and solving method are all set.
2. Click Solve to start the calculation.
3. Wait for the result dialog to appear.
4. Select Keep Solver Solution and click OK.
5. If needed, output a report to a new worksheet for review.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The related worksheet cells are updated with the solved result.
• Next action available: You can save the workbook or adjust the model and solve again.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If formulas or constraints are not checked before solving, the result may not match your goal.