XL: Solver Fails on Worksheet with Apostrophe in File Name

ID: Q99366

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

The Solver add-in macro included with Microsoft Excel returns an error message and fails if you use it on a worksheet that contains an apostrophe (') in the file name.


WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, rename the document so that it does not contain an apostrophe in its name.


MORE INFORMATION

If you try to use Solver on a worksheet that contains an apostrophe in its filename, you receive one of the following error messages. 


   Microsoft Excel version 5.0
   ---------------------------

   Set Target Cell must be a single cell on the active sheet.

   Microsoft Excel version 4.0
   ----------------------------

   Set Cell must be a cell on the active sheet

   Microsoft Excel version 3.0 for Windows
   and Microsoft Excel version 3.0 for OS/2
   ----------------------------------------

   Solver: An unexpected internal error occurred ($M$100). Please
   verify that your model is correctly entered and all cells contain
   numeric values. If this does not correct the error, please report
   it to your regular Microsoft Excel support contact.

   Microsoft Excel version 3.0 for the Macintosh
   ---------------------------------------------

   Solver: An unexpected internal error occurred ($M$115). Please
   verify that your model is correctly entered and all cells contain
   numeric values. If this does not correct the error, please report
   it to your regular Microsoft Excel support contact.



Steps to Reproduce Problem

  1. On a new worksheet, type the following values: 

    
A1:      1
A2:      2
A3:      3
A4:      4
A5:      =A1*A2*A3*A4


  2. From the File menu, choose Save As. Enter a filename that contains an apostrophe. For example, use the filename TEST'001.XLS (if you are using Microsoft Excel for Windows or Microsoft Excel for OS/2) or "Today's Numbers" (if you are using Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh). Save the file.


  3. From the Formula menu, choose Solver.


  4. In the Solver dialog box, set the following items to the indicated values:

    Set Cell: $A$5
    Equal to: Value of 100
    By Changing Cells: $A$1:$A$4


  5. Select the Solve button to begin solving the problem.


After a few seconds, one of the above error messages should be displayed. If you go back into the Solver dialog box, you will see that the $A$5 Set Cell entry has been changed to a #REF! error value.

REFERENCES

"User's Guide 2," version 4.0, pages 79-113
"Solver User's Guide," version 3.0

Additional query words: atp frontline systems 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbtool 
Version           : WINDOWS: 3.0,4.0,4.0a,5.0; MACINTOSH: 3.0,4.0,5.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH OS/2 WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: April 5, 1999