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Using Analytic Solver Cloud and Excel Solver on Mac

This article explains the installation and usage options for Solver-related tools on a Mac, including the Microsoft Excel built-in Solver and Frontline Systems’ Analytic Solver.

Overview

  • Mac users can use the Analytic Solver Cloud offering from Frontline Systems.
  • The traditional Analytic Solver desktop installation is Windows-only and will not run on macOS.
  • Excel for Mac includes Microsoft’s built-in Solver (under the Data tab); that is a separate product from Frontline’s Analytic Solver.

Installation and usage options for Mac

Analytic Solver Cloud (Mac)

  • Mac users should install and use Analytic Solver Cloud. Installation instructions are provided by Frontline Systems at: https://resources.solver.com/how-do-i-download-analytic-solver-cloud
  • After creating an account and installing the Cloud offering, sign in through the Analytic Solver tab within Excel to access your license and the Cloud features.

Analytic Solver desktop

  • The desktop (Windows) installation of Analytic Solver is not available for Mac. Desktop installation is supported only on Windows and will not work on macOS.

Microsoft Excel built-in Solver (Mac)

  • Excel’s built-in Solver is accessed from the Data tab in Excel; this built-in Solver is not Frontline’s add-in.
  • For instructions to load or enable the built-in Solver add-in in Excel, refer to Microsoft’s support article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/load-the-solver-add-in-in-excel-612926fc-d53b-46b4-872c-e24772f078ca

Licensing and accounts

  • An account must be created to receive and activate an Analytic Solver license.
  • After account creation, a short-term license (example: 14 days) may be activated; logging in through the Analytic Solver tab in Excel grants access to the license.
  • Institution or professor-managed licenses can be implemented on Frontline’s server once the user account is created and communicated to Frontline.

Troubleshooting and support pointers

  • Ensure you have an Analytic Solver account before expecting a license to appear in Excel.
  • Use the Analytic Solver tab in Excel to log in and confirm license activation.
  • For issues with the built-in Excel Solver, follow Microsoft’s guidance linked above.

Conclusion

On a Mac, use Analytic Solver Cloud (installed and accessed via the Analytic Solver tab in Excel). The Analytic Solver desktop installer is Windows-only. For Excel’s native Solver on Mac, follow Microsoft’s instructions to enable and use that built-in add-in.