Standard Excel Solver - Messages in the Solver Results Dialog (4-5)

Messages in the Solver Results Dialog (4-5)

The Set Target Cell values do not converge. (4)

This message appears when the Solver is able to increase (if you are trying to Maximize) or decrease (for Minimize) without limit the value calculated by the objective or Target Cell, while still satisfying the constraints. Remember that, if you've selected Minimize, the Target Cell may take on negative values without limit unless this is prevented by constraints on the Target Calls or other cells.

If the objective is a linear function of the decision variables, it can always be increased or decreased without limit (picture it as a straight line), so the Solver will seek the extreme value which still satisfies the constraints. If the objective is a nonlinear function of the variables, it may have a "natural" maximum or minimum (for example, A1*A1 has a minimum at zero), or no such limit (for example, LOG(A1) increases without limit).

If you receive this message, you may have forgotten a constraint, or failed to anticipate values for the variables that allow the objective to increase or decrease without limit. The final values for the adjustable cells, the constraint left hand sides and the objective should provide a strong clue about what happened.

Solver could not find a feasible solution. (5)

This message appears when the Solver could not find any combination of values for the decision variables which allows all of the constraints to be satisfied simultaneously.

If you have checked the Assume Linear Model box in the Solver Options dialog, and the model is well scaled (see Use Automatic Scaling), the Simplex Solver has determined for certain that there is no feasible solution.

If you haven't checked the Assume Linear Model box, the GRG Solver was unable to find a feasible solution, starting from the initial values of the variables; however it is possible that there is a feasible solution far away from these initial values, which the Solver might find if you run it with different initial values for the variables.

In either case, you should first look for conflicting constraints, i.e. conditions which cannot be satisfied simultaneously. Most often this is due to choosing the wrong relation (e.g. <= instead of >=) on an otherwise appropriate constraint.

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