Hi.

I seem to recall that solver does not work when the objective function
contains an array formula. Can anyone confirm this?

I don't believe this is true. The 'Array' function "Sumproduct()" is a
common function used in the Target Cell.

does it work if some of the cells
involved contain user-defined VBA functions?

Yes. It works. One just has to make sure the function is not
Discontinuous. For example, don't use Max, Min, IF(), Abs()...etc.
This applies to the worksheet also.

= = =
Good luck. :)
Dana DeLouis



G.R. Toro wrote:
I apologize for the open-ended question.

I am about to embark on a complicated project where I need to use "solver"
and I am gathering some information before I jump in. BTW, I am Using Excel
2003.

I seem to recall that solver does not work when the objective function
contains an array formula. Can anyone confirm this?

Are there any other similar "gotchas" in solver. I am looking for this kind
of incompatibilities. For instance, does it work if some of the cells
involved contain user-defined VBA functions?

I am not asking about cases where the solver does not converge, takes too
long, or converges to a local (rather than global) peak. I know those are
facts of life in numerical optimization.

Thanks,

Gabriel