As you can see, the Task Pane Model tab and the Solver Parameters dialog contain the same
information. But where the basic Excel Solver Parameters dialog is modal (moving the mouse
outside the dialog displays a wait cursor – you must close the dialog to do anything else), the
Task Pane is modeless: You can move the mouse outside the pane, edit formulas on the
worksheet, or use other commands.
The Task Pane is initially docked to the right side of the Excel window, but you can select its
title bar with your mouse, drag it to another position, and resize it, as shown on the next page.
To “re-dock” the Task Pane, select its title bar with the mouse, drag to a position just beyond the
right edge of the Excel window, then release the mouse.
Use the Model tab to view your model in outline form, and optionally edit model elements inplace.
Use the Platform tab to view or change Platform options, such as the number of
optimizations or simulations to run, or default bounds on decision variables or uncertain
variables. Use the Engine tab to select a Solver Engine and view or change its options. Use the
Output tab to view a log of solution messages, or a chart of the objective values.