Excel Problem that I'm struggling with

Sudoku is a popular puzzle game in which digits from 1 to 9 are placed within a 9 by 9 grid. This large grid is composed of 9 smaller 3 by 3 grids. A solved puzzle is one in which



the digits 1 to 9 are placed in each row exactly once

the digits 1 to 9 are placed in each column exactly once

the digits 1 to 9 are placed in each 3 by 3 grid exactly once



Typically, the puzzle author places a few numbers in the grid. It is then the puzzle solver's job to place the remaining numbers.

Download the file sudoku.xls. This file contains the beginning of a puzzle and an image of its solution. Place a formula in cell B2 that displays "Keep trying..." if the puzzle is not yet solved and "You did it!" if the puzzle is solved. The formula must work for any sudoku puzzle, and the grader will pay close attention to the proper use of cell references. Submit your completed sudoku.xls file.

Hint: consider using the boxed areas below and to the right of the puzzle to perform intermediate calculations. Each cell within these boxes should hold a calculated boolean value.

I did something like this a while back. I made it in an html page with a JavaScript validation. But with the validation, it only gave a message if you entered a number which clashed with the numbers already filled in the grid otherwise it was to easy.

I need a solution... I've been working on this for the last 2days and I still don't know how to make it work.

School homework , pure Excel question in the ASP forum , all around, not good.

I'll move this to a more appropriate forum, but don't expect too much help

shame shame shame on you!!! School work question in a forum

maybe this one should be in the windows forum.? who knows...

Lounge is probably best since there is no category that would better fit this topic.

The recycle bin would be better...

no kidding

gmsm2000,

So is this a school work project?

if not and other members who have left a message in this thread say i should let you have the answer i'll post it.

But if it is school work and you want to solve it yourself as a sign of personal achievement try looking at the a custom cell data verification formula starting like =And(Not(COUNTIF(…….

Thats all the help I'm giving at the minute, seaching the web should help you with the rest of the solution.

here's the link to the HTML page I made for the SUDOKU , just select a puzzle from the combobox at the bottom of the page. Have fun...