Solving Optimization and Scheduling Problems in Excel

Learn how to use Solver, a free Excel add-in, to find optimal solutions to problems with multiple constraints.

Learn how to use Solver, a free Excel add-in, to find optimal solutions to problems with multiple constraints, including linear and nonlinear mixtures, transportation problems, and scheduling conflicts. Along the way, author Curt Frye shows how to organize Excel worksheets for use with Solver, add and swap data, and set each problem's criteria in Solver. In the final chapter, you'll learn how to analyze Solver's results, create scenarios, and change parameters by hand.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files

1. Working with Solver

• Finding target values using Goal Seek
• Introducing linear and integer programming
• Installing the Solver add-in on Windows
• Organizing a worksheet for use in Solver
• Finding a solution using Solver

2. Solving a Linear Mixture Problem

• Introducing the problem
• Organizing the worksheet
• Adding data to the worksheet
• Defining changing value cells and summary formulas
• Setting the problem's criteria in Solver

3. Solving a Nonlinear Mixture Problem

• Introducing the problem
• Organizing the worksheet
• Adding data to the worksheet
• Defining changing value cells and summary formulas
• Setting the problem's criteria in Solver and solving

4. Solving a Transportation Problem

• Introducing the problem
• Organizing the worksheet
• Adding data to the worksheet
• Defining changing value cells and summary formulas
• Setting the problem's criteria in Solver

5. Solving a Resource Scheduling Optimization Problem

• Introducing the problem
• Organizing the worksheet
• Adding data to the worksheet
• Defining changing value cells and summary formulas
• Setting the problem's criteria in Solver

6. Solving a Sports Scheduling Problem

• Introducing the problem
• Organizing the worksheet
• Adding data and changing values to the worksheet
• Defining summary formulas
• Setting the problem's criteria in Solver

7. Analyzing Your Solver Results

• Changing parameters by hand
• Performing sensitivity analysis
• Defining a scenario
• Showing and hiding scenarios
• Editing and deleting scenarios
• Creating a scenario summary worksheet

Conclusion

• Further resources