Do Integer / Binary Constraints Work in Excel 2004?

[E._Thompson]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hi,
I'm having the exact problem that is described in this old (2005) maxosx.com discussion: <http://www.macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/256248-excel-solver-constraints.html>

I can't find information anywhere that indicates this is a common issue. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there an obvious fix? e.g. replace the user If this is a real bug, I find it hard to believe I'm the first person to discover it.

There is a Microsoft knowledge base article that is suspiciously similar, but it deals with German and Polish versions for Windows: <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826118>

Thanks.

 

[E._Thompson]

Some more detailed information: Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac, Version 11.3.7 (070724)

Thanks.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: intel

Hi,
I'm having the exact problem that is described in this old (2005) maxosx.com discussion: <http://www.macosx.com/forums/mac-os-x-system-mac-software/256248-excel-solver-constraints.html>

I can't find information anywhere that indicates this is a common issue. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there an obvious fix? e.g. replace the user If this is a real bug, I find it hard to believe I'm the first person to discover it.

There is a Microsoft knowledge base article that is suspiciously similar, but it deals with German and Polish versions for Windows: <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826118>

Thanks.

Hi,

The posting you reference indicates two separate problems.

Problem #1
Can't enter the values of the constraint.
Reason:
The constraint value has to exist in a cell range on the worksheet. You
can enter a cell range manually or click the button to the right of the
input field and select it from the worksheet.
Explanation:
Excel help topic "Add, change, or delete a constraint in Solver"

Problem #2
"I cannot use the integer or binary constraints. When I select them from
the drop-down I get the following error message: Constraint must be a
number, simple reference or formula with a numeric value."
Reason:
For linear problems there is no restriction.
For non-linear problems input is limited and.
Explanation:
Excel help topic "Options in the Solver Add Constraint and Change
Constraint dialog boxes"

Although the person posting didn't say so, it would seem that they were
trying to solve a non-linear problem using values that didn't make sense.

-Jim