Design and Use of the Microsoft Excel Solver
Daniel H. Fylstra, Leon S. Lasdon, John Watson, Allan D. Waren · INFORMS Journal on Applied Analytics · 1998
In designing the spreadsheet optimizer that is bundled with Microsoft Excel, we and Microsoft made certain choices in designing its user interface, model processing, and solution algorithms for linear, nonlinear, and integer programs. We describe some of the common pitfalls users encounter and remedies available in the latest version of Microsoft Excel. The Solver has many applications and great impact in industry and education.