1) Under "Tools" select "Solver". (If "Solver" is not available under "Tools" see instructions for adding Linear Programming.)

2) Solver Parameters Dialog Box:
 

a) Step 1: Select the Target cell and enter the cell address in the "Set Target Cell" window. The Target is the outcome of the model that you are try to either maximize, minimize or set equal to a certain value. For example, when trying to find the mix of patient types that generate the greatest net income, the target cell is the cell in the spreadsheet where net income is calculated.

b) Step 2: Select the type of model (objective function) you are trying to solve; maximize, minimize or equal to. 

c) Step 3: Identify the cells that the computer can change in order to solve the problem (often called variables). Enter the cell addresses of those cells that can change in the "By Changing Cells" window. For example, when trying to find the mix of patients across DRGs that yields the highest net income, the cells that change (variables) are the cells that identify the number or proportion of patients in each of the different DRGs.

d) Step 4: Including Constraints:

 
(1) Click on the "Add" button
(2) Enter the cell address of the cell that you want to constrain. For example, when trying to find the best mix of patients across DRGs, there may be a minimum number or proportion of patients that must be served in a particular DRG. (DRG 152 must be greater than or equal to 10% of all patients served.)
(3) Select the constraint function; <=, >=, =, int (integer), or bin (binary).
(4) Enter the constraint value or cell reference into the "Constraint" window. In the above example (DRG 152 >= 10%), the value can be entered directly as .10 or a cell address with that value can be entered.g

3) Scenario Values Dialog Box:
 

a) Step 1: Each of the cells identified above as cells that will change will have a dialog window next to the cell address. Enter the new value for each cell. When values are entered for all changing cells, click "OK". 
 

5) When you have created multiple scenarios it is often useful to create a summary table of all of the scenarios. To create a summary table do the following:
 

a) Step 1: Click "Summary" from the "Scenario Manager" dialog box.

b) Step 2: Select the type of report you want. For most users, the "scenario summary" will be easier to use. 

c) Step 3: Identify the results cell. This is the cell that has the ultimate value of interest within your spreadsheet. For example, this cell might be net income.

d) Step 4:  Click "OK"