Here is a useful feature I recently found googling for Excel solver examples.

I have summed some random values from the list A1:A11 in C1. How do I find those summed numbers in C1? I am going to use Excel Solver. Using more than 20 values (Column A) is not recommended unless you have a lot of spare time.

Install Solver add-in

1. Click Office button
2. Click Excel Options
3. Click add-ins
4. Install Solver
5. Click OK

Setup formula

1. Double click B12
2. Type =SUMPRODUCT(B1:B11,A1:A11) + ENTER

Start Excel 2007 Solver

1. Click "Data" in the Ribbon
2. Click "Solver"
   
3. Click "Set Target Cell:" button
4. Click B12
5. Type in "Value of:" window the summed value 2615,4
6. Click "By Changing Cells:" button and select B1:B11.
7. Click "Add" button
   
8. Click "Cell Reference:" button and select B1:B11
9. Select "bin" in drop down menu (triangle)
   
10. Click "OK"
    
11. Click "Options"
    
12. Enable "Assume Linear Model"
13. I changed "Max Time:" to 1000 seconds
14. Click OK
    
15. Click "Solve"A couple of minutes later.

    

16. Click OK!

External resources

Excel Solver Links