Solver option in MS-EXCEL is used for

Concept

The Solver in Excel is an add-in for optimization (what-if) analysis: it searches for the optimal value of a target (objective) cell — a maximum, a minimum, or a specific target — by adjusting one or more decision (variable) cells while respecting a set of constraints. Mathematically it solves constrained problems such as linear, nonlinear and integer programming.

Applying it here

The question asks what Solver is used for. Solver is an optimization engine that finds the best numeric solution to a constrained mathematical model — for example minimising cost or maximising profit subject to limits. Because it numerically solves such mathematical/statistical models (including regression and what-if scenarios), among the four choices it matches “solving statistical problems”: a problem-solving (calculation) tool, not a presentation or estimation tool.

Why the other choices do not fit

• Data analysis is handled by features such as the Analysis ToolPak, PivotTables and charts — summarising and exploring existing data, not searching for an optimum under constraints.

• Forecasting or predicting values for different data sets is done with trend/forecast functions and what-if data tables, not by the constrained optimisation that Solver performs.

• Formatting changes only the appearance of cells (fonts, colours, number formats) and computes nothing, so it cannot be Solver’s purpose.

Result

Solver is used for solving statistical (mathematical optimisation) problems.