If you are looking for a solution (Not necessarily the only one) to a subset of
a group of numbers that will add up to a target number, then this can often be
done quite simply with Solver.
Assuming range of numbers in A1:A30, add a set of 0s in B1:B30 and in say B31
put
=SUMPRODUCT(A1:A30*B1:B30)
Now do Tools / Solver / Set Target Cell 'B31' to 'value of' and put in your
target
number. Then, using the range selector under the 'By Changing cells' section,
select cells B1:B30 as the ones to change and hit enter which will take you back
to the first dialog box. Now hit the 'Add' button, and add the constraint that
B1:B30 must be 'bin' (Means binary as in 1 or 0, and it's one of the dropdowns,
so just hit the arrow and select 'bin') and just hit Solve. You MUST ensure
that in this example, when you add the 'bin' constraint range, you do not
inadvertantly include the formula cell B31, else you will get an error message
such as 'Binary Contsraint cell reference must include only adjustable cells'
Won't do any more than single solution, but for a Finance Dept that will often
suffice in this context.
If interested, the following link will give you a helpful tutorial at
http://www.solver.com/stepbystep.htm
and which walks you through an interesting scenario and explains what you can do
with the tool.
If you are going to look for more than one target number in the data, then with
that formula in say B31, in B32 type the target number, and in B33 put =B32-B31.
Now have Solver solve B33 = to 0 with the same constraints. Saves having to
change any values in Solver that way, just type what you want in B32.
--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03
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It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission :-)
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"Larry Morris" <Larry
wrote in message
...
In Excel, I have a column of random dollar amounts. I also have a total
amount that I have to figure out which combination dollar amounts in the
column could equal my total amount.
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