Solver and Goal Seek for Google Sheets
Solver and Goal Seek for Google Sheets, like in Excel
Find the best budget, product mix, staff plan or team within your limits, or the input that hits your target, and get the answer written into your sheet. Free, with no limit on the number of cells.
No card needed. Click Insert example and you see it work in under a minute.
The Solver you know from Excel
The same three boxes: the goal cell to maximize, minimize or set to a value, the cells it may change, and your limits. Limits can be ≤, ≥ or = against a number or a cell, and cells can be whole numbers or yes/no. Click Solve, and the best answer lands in your sheet. Each tab keeps its own model, also when you copy the spreadsheet.
Goal Seek: hit any target value
Which interest rate gives a monthly payment of 1,400? Which price gives the margin you need? Choose the formula cell, the value you want and the input to change, and Goal Seek finds it, usually in seconds. One click undoes it.
Fast on large models, free with no size limit
Sheet Solver reads SUM, SUMPRODUCT, SUMIF and SUMIFS directly, so a model with 300 changing cells solves in under 20 seconds. Use it for budgets, production plans, shift plans, picking projects, and homework in linear optimization and what-if analysis.
Pro: the next-best answers too
Picking a fantasy team, a portfolio or a set of projects? Pro gives you up to 51 solutions in one solve, the best first and each one different, listed on their own tab. Add Safe or High ceiling strategies, solve every tab at once, and project next season from past seasons.
Plans
Free
$0
Solver and Goal Seek, no size limit
- Max, min or target value
- Whole number and yes/no cells
- Always pick / never pick cells
- 3 tries of every Pro feature a month
Pro
$4.99
a month, or $39 a year
- Up to 51 different solutions in one solve
- Solve every tab in one click
- Safe and High ceiling team strategies
- Next-season projections from past seasons
Paid plans are sold through Stripe. Cancel any time. The Solver itself stays free.
How to use Solver in Google Sheets
- 1
Install Sheet Solver
Click Install on the Google Workspace Marketplace page and choose your Google account.
- 2
Open the Solver
In Google Sheets, choose Extensions → Sheet Solver → Open Solver. Not sure where to start? Click Insert example.
- 3
Set the goal, the changing cells and the limits
Pick the goal cell and choose Max, Min or a target value. Pick the cells Sheet Solver may change, and add your limits, like ≤ budget or = 5 players.
- 4
Click Solve
The best answer is written straight into your sheet. For Goal Seek, choose the formula cell, the value you want and the cell to change, and click Goal Seek.
Questions
Does Google Sheets have a Solver like Excel?
Not built in. Sheet Solver adds one that works like Excel's: an objective cell to maximize, minimize or set to a value, the cells it may change, and your constraints. The best answer is written into your sheet.
Does Google Sheets have Goal Seek?
Not built in. Sheet Solver includes Goal Seek: choose the formula cell, the value you want and the input cell to change. It usually finds the answer in a few tries and seconds, and you can undo it with one click.
Is Sheet Solver free?
Yes. The Solver and Goal Seek are free with no limit on the number of cells, and you get 3 tries of every Pro feature each month. Pro is $4.99 a month or $39 a year.
How big a model can it solve?
There is no size limit. Models built with SUM, SUMPRODUCT, SUMIF and SUMIFS are read directly, so a model with 300 changing cells solves in under 20 seconds. Other formulas work too, but take longer.
Can I use whole numbers or yes/no choices?
Yes. Limits can be ≤, ≥ or = against a number or a cell, and changing cells can be whole numbers or yes/no (0 or 1). That covers picking teams, projects or products, and staff plans.
What can the add-on see?
Only the spreadsheet you are working in. It cannot open your other files or read your email, and your numbers stay in your browser and your Google account.
More help: Sheet Solver help and support. Sheet Solver is made by AddonNordic ApS, Aalborg, Denmark (CVR 46495985). Google Sheets is a trademark of Google LLC and Excel is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation; Sheet Solver is not made or endorsed by either.
Solve your first model free
Install Sheet Solver, open any Google Sheet and click Insert example to see it pick the best team within a budget in under a minute.