XL: Error Running Solver Macro with Non-Comma List Separators

• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c

SYMPTOMS

In the programs listed at the beginning of this article, when you run a recorded Visual Basic for Applications macro that uses the Solver functions, you may receive the following error message:

   Run Time Error '1004'
   Error in Formula

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you set the Regional Settings in the Control Panel under Windows 95, or the International Settings in the Control Panel under Windows 3.1 or 3.11, to anything other than "English (United States)".

The Solver functions use the comma (,) as a list separator to separate the arguments of the function. Setting the Regional Settings to anything other than "English (United States)" changes the list separator to something other than a comma.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, set the Regional Settings in the Control Panel under Windows 95, or the International Settings in the Control Panel under Windows 3.1 or 3.11, to "English (United States)." To do this, use the following appropriate steps:

Windows 95

1. On the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Regional Settings icon.

3. Click the Regional Settings tab.

4. In the setting box, click "English (United States)" and click OK.

Windows 3.1, or 3.11

1. In the Main group in Program Manager, double-click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the International icon.

3. In the Country list, click United States. In the Language, click "English (United States)" and click OK.

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel.

REFERENCES

For more information about changing the regional settings, click the Index tab in Windows 95 Help, type the following text

   regional settings