Fitting a Distribution with Analytic Solver Platform

The Analytic Solver Platform add-in for Windows Excel can be used to
determine the distribution that best fits a single variable (or single
column) of empirical data.

First, open the data set that you would like to investigate and select
the column of interest. Here, it is important that you do *not* select
the column heading.

Then click on the Analytic-Solver-Platform tab ... and choose the Fit
option in the Tools area.

The next dialog box allows you to specify several options. An important
choice is whether the data is continuous or discrete. ... In this
example, we will simply accept the defaults. When ready, click Fit.

After a moment, Analytic Solver Platform will present the best fit
distribution. Here, you can investigate other possible distributions and
make your final choice by selecting the checkbox next to the desired
distribution. ... When finished, close the window, for example, by
clicking the X in the top-right.

Analytic Solver Platform will then ask if you would like to accept the
distribution. If so, click Yes ... You will then have the option to put
the distribution formula in a particular cell.

After choosing that cell, Analytic Solver Platform will show you
confirmation of the distribution. Click Save.

Finally, the cell holds the appropriate formula as can be verified by
revealing the contents of the cell.