Microsoft Solver inconsistency between Windows and Mac OS

Question

When solving a simple linear programming problem (using Simplex LP method), the solver in Excel for Mac 2016 version 15.22 does not find the optimal solution and even states that it has found a viable solution even when constraints are not satisfied... When using Excel 2010 in Windows OS the solver finds the correct solution the first time (for exactly the same problem)... Additionally, when I manually change the variables in Excel for Mac to simulate the correct optimal solution (as found from Excel 2010 in Windows OS) the solver sees it as the optimal solution and does not change the variables even if I run solver a few times.

It seems as if the solver in Excel for Mac 2016 gets stuck in the first "peak" or "valley" and uses this as the optimal solution. Even when running solver a for a few iterations the variables don't change. 

I am perplexed because it is a very easy linear problem which the solver in Excel for Mac can't solve. Additionally, it creates doubt in the capabilities of this solver in Excel for Mac to produce accurate solutions. And as a student, this is rather vital!

I would appreciate some help :-)

Answer 1

Thanks for the help. I will definitely join the Office Insider Fast program.

Answer 2

Let me save you the bother of reading through the very long thread Arshad referred you to: Solver is being worked on.

You might consider joining the "Fast" insider program. You'll get beta builds so you can see what will be coming out in updates before they are released, and you will be able to send feedback directly to the developers at Microsoft.

To join the program, launch AutoUpdate (go to the Excel Help menu and choose Check for Updates). Choose these settings:

Office Insider Fast is a brand new program. The first build should be coming out shortly.

Answer 3

See,. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/mac/forum/macoffice2016-macexcel/excel-2016-solver-not-working-on-mac/65ab17de-c9f8-4817-8e7f-1f87f665e5ff?page=1