Using Solver.Ok from VBA Requires R1C1 Style Referencing

When you call the Solver.Ok macro function from a Visual Basic for Applications procedure or macro, you need to use R1C1 notation when referencing cell ranges on a worksheet. If you use A1 notation in referencing cell ranges, you may receive the following error message:

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements. The Solver.Ok macro is a command macro that defines a basic Solver model, equivalent to clicking Solver on the Tools menu and then specifying options in the Solver Parameters dialog box.

Before you use this function, you need to load the Solver Add-In using the Add-In manager. To load the Solver Add-In, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools Menu, click Add-Ins and click to select the Solver Add-In check box.
2. If the Solver Add-In doesn't appear in the Add-Ins Available box, click the Browse button, select Solver.xla in the \Excel\Library\Solver folder, and then click OK.

NOTE: If you can't find Solver.xla, you may need to install the Solver Add- In using the Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Office Setup program.

Sample Visual Basic Procedure

The following macro shows an example of how to call the Solver.Ok macro using R1C1 notation:

1. In a new Microsoft Excel Workbook, on the Insert menu, point to Macro, click Module, and then type the following macro code:

         Sub SolverOkDemo()
          Sheets("Sheet1").Select
          Range("C1").Select
          ActiveCell.Formula = "=a1+b1"
          ' Solver.Ok Parameters
          Set_Cell = Range("C1").Address(True, True, xlR1C1, True)
          Max_Min_Val = 3
          Value_Of = 21
          By_Changing = Range("a1:b1").Address(True, True, xlR1C1, True)
   
          Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro _
          String:="'[SOLVER.XLA]SOLVER'!SOLVER.OK(" _
             & Set_Cell & "," & Max_Min_Val & "," & Value_Of & "," & _
             By_Changing & ")"
          Application.ExecuteExcel4Macro _
          String:="'[SOLVER.XLA]SOLVER'!SOLVER.SOLVE()"
         End Sub
   					

2. On the Tools Menu, click Macro, select the SolverOkDemo Macro from the list, and then click the Run Button to run the macro.

The macro will perform the following:

1. Select sheet1.
2. Select cell C1.
3. Insert the formula =A1+B1 in cell C1.
4. Places the found solution in Cells A1 and B1.
5. Solver's dialog box will appear, indicating that it found a solution.
6. Click OK.

For more information about using SolverOk in Visual Basic for Microsoft Excel 97, from the Visual Basic Editor, click the Office Assistant, type "SolverOk," click Search, and then click to view "SolverOk Function."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If the Assistant is not able to answer your query, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about SolverOk in Microsoft Excel version 7.0, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu and type: For more information about Solver.OK in Microsoft Excel version 5.0, choose Contents in help, Click Reference Information, and then choose the Search button and type: For additional information about getting help with Visual Basic for Applications, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: