How to Use WPS Solver on Windows

Use WPS Solver on Windows through 6 how-to topics, with 6 available without membership and 0 membership-related items; choose a topic from the index and follow the steps to complete setup and solving.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box

Feature path: Data tab → What-If Analysis menu → Solver

1. Click the Data tab.
2. Click the What-If Analysis menu.
3. Select Solver.
4. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The Solver Parameters dialog box 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 working in the correct spreadsheet window, the entry may appear to be missing.

2. Set the objective cell

Feature path: Data tab → What-If Analysis → Solver → Set Objective

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box.
2. Select the objective cell you want to solve for.
3. Choose Max, Min, or Value Of.
4. If you choose Value Of, enter the target number.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The objective cell and target type are shown in the dialog box.
• 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 path: Data tab → What-If Analysis → Solver → By Changing Variable Cells

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box.
2. Click the By Changing Variable Cells field.
3. Select the variable cells that can be adjusted.
4. To select multiple nonadjacent cells, hold Ctrl and select them one by one.

Success Criteria

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

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Variable cells should have a direct or indirect calculation relationship with the objective cell.

4. Add constraints

Feature path: Data tab → What-If Analysis → Solver → Subject to the Constraints → Add

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box.
2. Click Add in the constraints area.
3. Select the constraint cell or range.
4. Set the relationship, such as greater than or equal to, less than or equal to, equal to, or integer.
5. Enter the constraint value and click OK.
6. Repeat the process until all constraints are added.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The new constraints appear in the list.
• Next action available: You can continue to choose a solving method and start solving.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If the relationship and value do not match the model logic, Solver may not return a feasible solution.

5. Choose a solving method

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

1. Open the Solver Parameters dialog box.
2. Find the Select a Solving Method list.
3. For a linear model, choose a method suited to linear programming.
4. For a nonlinear model, choose a method suited to nonlinear calculation.
5. Confirm that the selected method matches the model type.

Success Criteria

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

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Mixing a linear model with an unsuitable nonlinear method, or the reverse, can affect the result.

6. Solve and review the result

Feature path: Data tab → What-If Analysis → Solver → Solve

1. Finish setting the objective, variables, constraints, and method.
2. Click Solve.
3. Wait for the calculation to finish and review the result dialog box.
4. Select Keep Solver Solution and click OK.
5. If needed, output a result report to a new worksheet.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The worksheet updates with the solved result.
• Next action available: You can continue analyzing the result or adjust the model and solve again.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If the original data or constraints are not set reasonably, the result may not match your expectation.