I am just getting back into programming and would like to create a program
to solve Su Doku puzzles as a refresher. I have created a table on top for
the user to input the values and another below that for the solution. In
the solution table, I will have it check to see if there is a value in the
corresponding cell in the input table via an IF THEN ELSE formula.

If there is a value, it will simply be copied down. If there isn't, I would
like to check to see which numbers (1-9) are in that row, in that column,
and within the 3x3 block (1-3, 1-3) and eliminate those as possible values
for that cel, but can I create a LIST of values? For example, lets say that
1, 4, 5, 7, and 9 are already present in the row, column, or block. That
means that cell 1,1 cannot be those values, but it could be 2, 3, 6, or 8.
I would then continue populating each cel with possible choices until I got
to cel 9,9.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

--
Jeff C

Hi Jeff,

I built my solver using FIND--REPLACE code and named ranges.

I put the given numbers (clues) on the board and then I have a routine
"Enter Numbers" that puts 1 thru 9 in each open square in the puzzle.

Then I use my "Sift Numbers" button by selecting a given number (clue) and
click the sift button. The routine finds any of that number in the 3 x 3
box and the horizontal line and the vertical column and eliminates them all.
Select the next given number and do the same etc... in all nine 3 x 3's.

Or I can use my "Auto Sift" routine and it runs from upper left to bottom
right doing the same thing. Some times on a fairly easy puzzle it will just
solve the whole puzzle if run a couple--three time. Takes the fun out of
the puzzle solving but I was honing program skill not Sudoku skills.

On the Evil level puzzles it will not do the upper level logical deductions
that are needed and I have to press gray matter into play.

I can send you a copy if you wish. Of course it's armature level code, NOT
Chip P, Tom O, John W stuff but I did get a nice piece of advice from Norman
Jones on straightening out some troublesome code.

Regards,
Howard

"JC Home" wrote in message
...
I am just getting back into programming and would like to create a program
to solve Su Doku puzzles as a refresher. I have created a table on top for
the user to input the values and another below that for the solution. In
the solution table, I will have it check to see if there is a value in the
corresponding cell in the input table via an IF THEN ELSE formula.

If there is a value, it will simply be copied down. If there isn't, I
would like to check to see which numbers (1-9) are in that row, in that
column, and within the 3x3 block (1-3, 1-3) and eliminate those as
possible values for that cel, but can I create a LIST of values? For
example, lets say that 1, 4, 5, 7, and 9 are already present in the row,
column, or block. That means that cell 1,1 cannot be those values, but it
could be 2, 3, 6, or 8. I would then continue populating each cel with
possible choices until I got to cel 9,9.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

--
Jeff C