Adding Constraints

Adding Constraints

Output Cell Value Range

In order to limit the values used in your solution to those of most use to you, or to avoid silly or impractical solution values, you may set constraints on as many, or as few, individual cell values as you choose.

We strongly recommend you read Using Constraints, Performance Points before adding new constraints.

To add an output cell constraint:

1. Click the New button from the main dialog.

2. Click the button from the right hand of the Constrain value in cell reference box.

3. Click the cell whose value you would like to constrain and click OK.

4. From the constraint dialog, select the type of constraint from the centrally placed list. Choose from:

Constraint Type	Constraint
And	Solution is valid only if the result of the Boolean algebra function 'constrained cell value AND constraint value' is true.
Equal to	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is equal to the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Greater than or equal to	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is greater than or equal to the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Greater than	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is greater than the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Less than or equal to	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is less than or equal to than the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Less than	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is less than the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Not equal to	Solution is valid only if the constrained cell value is not equal to the constraint value or that contained within the constraint cell specified.
Not	Solution is valid only if the result of the Boolean algebra function 'constrained cell value NOT constraint value' is true.
Or	Solution is valid only if the result of the Boolean algebra function 'constrained cell value OR constraint value' is true.
XOr	Solution is valid only if the result of the Boolean algebra function 'constrained cell value XOR constraint value' is true.

5. Select either to use a Cell Reference to point to a cell containing the value to be used as a constraint OR the Value option to enter directly the value to be used as a constraint.

        For Cell Reference

Click the button from the right hand of the Constrain value in cell reference box.

Click the cell whose value you would like to constrain and click OK.

        For Value

Enter the value to be used as the constraint into the text box.

6. Click Add and continue to add the new constraint and leave the dialog open to allow you to add another constraint without returning to the main dialog OR click OK to add the constraint and close the dialog.

Any constraints that you add will appear in the Constrained Cell list on the main dialog.

You may add as many constraints as you require.

You may add more than one constraint per cell.

You may use more than one constrained cell per constraint cell.

See also Changing Constraints, Deleting Constraints, Using Constraints, Input Cell Conditioning