Using Solver to Assign Items to Buckets

Share

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

In April 2011, Mdsuhair asked a question at the Chandoo.org Forums

What formula can I use to divide a group of numbers into 2 groups so that the Sum of each of the 2 groups is as equal as possible?

This is a candidate for Solver.

This post will walk us through the solution to the problem using Solver. It uses Solver and screen shots from Excel 2007.

All versions of Excel have solver available. Users should note that the screen shots may not match your version although the functionality will, some of the functions appear in different locations in different versions of Solver.

What and Where Is Solver

What is Solver

Solver is an Excel add-in that can solve problems by enabling a Target cell to achieve some goal.

This goal may be to minimse, maximise, or achieve some target value.

It solves the problem by adjusting a number of input cells according to a set of criteria or constraints which are defined by the user.

Where is Solver

Solver is an Excel add-in supplied with Excel, but not enabled by default.

To enable solver

File, Excel Options, Add-ins, Manage Excel Add-ins, Select the Solver Add-in checkbox

Solver will now appear as a New Tab on the Data, Analysis Tab

Solver Example

This post is based around a worked example Solver Example File, the file is compatible with all versions of Excel.

Defining the Problem

Mdsuhair had a series of 8 Items each which had a value:

 

He wants to know which items should be combined so that the sum of the values of the items is nearly equal.

To do this we need to assign each item into a Bucket. Namely Bucket A and Bucket B.

We will put values of 1 into a Bucket for each Item to show that it is assigned to that Bucket and a value of 0 to show that the bucket is empty (In/Out) Value.

We can start by adding a Total Column, which counts items in Buckets A + Bucket B for each Item, It then totals the totals.

We also know that we need to work out the Value of each Item in each Bucket

We do this by multiplying the Items Value by the Buckets (In/Out) value

Finally we need to add up the values in each Bucket and work out the difference between them

Mdsuhair’s original problem was to minimise the difference between the sum of the values in the 2 buckets.

Now we can place values of 1 in the buckets manually and Excel will show us the value of each Bucket and the Difference between them in Cell G11.

I have applied some conditional formatting to show when a cell has a value > 0.

The problem is that there are 28 or 256 combinations of answers, and to test them all manually at 1 every 5 seconds would take 21.3 minutes, assuming we can keep up that pace and remember which was the best combination.

This is where solver comes to the fore.

Applying Solver

To apply solver we need to define a series of requirements, rules and constraints.

These requirements, rules and constraints guide solver and set limits which allow solver to quickly narrow in on the answer.

What are our rules

Our main requirement is to minimise the difference between the value of the 2 buckets.

The difference between the 2 buckets in our example is cell G11, the sum of Bucket 2 values minus the Sum of Bucket 1 values.

We want to have G11 as low as possible but greater than or equal to 0.

 

We also know that an item can only be in Bucket A or Bucket B, it can’t be in both and can’t be Broken apart.

That is 2 Constraints for each Item

Firstly The Total column must be equal to 1

Secondly the Buckets Values must be Integers

We also know that the Total Number of Items is 8, this is another constraint.

We will discuss how these constraints are used in the next section

The Solver Window

This section will explain the solver window and its use in defining the problem within solver.

A Blank Solver Window

A Filled Solver Window

Set Target Cell:

This is the Target cell which is the cell which you are trying to solve the problem for.

Our Target cell is G11, The difference between the 2 Buckets values

Equal To:

The Equal To: section defines what we want to do with our Target Cell.

We want to achieve the same value in each Bucket and so the difference between the Buckets will be 0.

It might sound strange but we don’t want to minimise that difference. A minimal value will be achieved when all the Items are placed in Bucket A, as our equation for G11 will then have 0 – Total which is –Total, which is more minimal than 0.

Another way to constrain this is to Change G11 to =Abs(G10-H10)

This allows us to use Min as an Equal To: Value

But for now we can just leave G11 as =G10-H10 and we will set the Equal To: section as 0.

By Changing Cells:

Changing Cells: refers to the cells which will be modified by Solver to try and solve the problem.

We want to let Solver change the number of items in each bucket, this is the range: $C$2:$D$9

Hint: You can try the Guess button next to the Range Reference and Solver will take a Guess at what cells the problem is dependent on.

Always check this if you use it, especially in complex models.

Subject to the Constraints:

Constraints are the rules which define the limits of the possible solutions to the problem

We will add several constraints for our rules:

1. The Total column must be equal to 1 for each Item

2. The Bucket Value must be an Integer

3. The total contents of the 2 buckets must be 8 items

4. You could add a further constraint that each Bucket should hold the same number of items

Hint: As a general Rule, Under Constrain rather than over constrain! You can always add more constraints later.

To do this we will use the Add Constraint Button

1. We need to add a constraint for each cell in the Range E2:E9 that it is only allowed to be = 1

This constraint must be applied for each cell in the range E2:E9

2. We need to add a constraint for each cell in the Range C2:D9 that it is only allowed to be an integer

This constraint must be applied for each cell in the range C2:D9

3. We need to add a constraint for the Total of the 2 Buckets, E10=8

You can Change or Delete Constraints if you make a mistake by selecting the appropriate constraint and using the Change or Delete Buttons

Save and Load Solves Parameters

Selecting the Options Button there is the Option to Save Model and Load Models.

Hint: The Save/Load Models has been shifted onto the main Solver dialog in Excel 2010.

Using the Save Model and Load Model options you can Save and the Load the Solver Parameters for your model. The Save Model saves the parameters in a Range of cells as shown below.

This allows an easy way to actually setup and/or change the solver parameters.

Hint: Setup one constraint using solver then Save the model. Edit the model on the worksheet and re-load the model as required.

Note: That the parameters although when saved show as True/False or Numbers are all Excel Equations, see above.

This means you can edit them to change the Constraints and Parameters as required and re-load them into solver.

I have included 3 sets of Parameters for our model.

These are:

  • Base Case – Forces bucket values to be equal, Allows uneven bucket counts
  • Equal Sized Buckets – Forces each bucket to contain the same number of items
  • Force an error – Which forces an error in the solver model

Load each model and try them at your leisure.

Running the Solver Model

Warning: Solver is a computationally complex add-in, so once your model is setup, Save your Workbook.

Prior to running the model there are a few parameters we should look at to ensure the model solves correctly.

On the main Solver window select the Options button. (Some of these parameters are on the Main Solver window in Solver 2010)

Generally you can accept the defaults but in this case we will change the following

Assume Linear Model – Select

Assume Non-Negative – Select

Note: Solver in Excel 2010 will return a better answer without these 2 parameters enabled by default

The other 2 parameters which you may need to change from time to time is

Precision: Precision is a number from 0 to 1 and higher means more precise

Tolerance: Tolerance shows how far away from a Number, an Integer constraint is allowed to be

The use of the Estimates, Derivatives and Search parameters are beyond the scope of this post. I direct you to the Excel Help on these subjects, by selecting the Help button.

Run the Model

To Run the Model, select the Solve Button from the main Solver menu.

The main status bar in Excel will flash up a number of statistics about the internal workings of the Solver add-in. Generally these flash by and are too fast to read. If a model is too complex it may stall and you won’t see any movement for a while. Solver generally recovers from these problems itself.

 

Once the Solver model finishes it will display a dialog of the results and allow you to do several things

First thing to note is that “Solver Found a Solution.

If it has found a solution, the worksheet cells will be changed to show the solution

You now have 4 options:

  • Run a Report
  • Save a Scenario
  • Return to the model
  • Check Your Results

Run a Report

Run a report by clicking the report you want.

A new sheet will be added to your workbook depending on the report but will be called:

  • Answer Report 1,
  • Sensitivity Report 1
  • Limits Reports 1

etc.

Note, that not all reports are relevant at all times, depending on the Constraints you have applied.

Save a Scenario

Selecting the Save a Scenario button takes you to the Save Scenario dialog.

 

Type in a Name and the Scenario of your model is saved as a Scenario.

Scenarios as available for use in the Scenario Manager, which is accessed from the Data, What-If-Analysis Tab

Return to the model

You can return to your model and either:

  • Keep Solver Solution
  • Restore Original Values

Check the Results

Solver is probably the most Black Box’ish of systems within Excel. As such any results it puts out must be manually checked for suitableness before further use.

These checks for realness, should as a start confirm that the results meet all the criteria supplied.

Are the results roughly what were expected?

Are any Minimums or Maximums violated?

 

What If Solver Doesn’t Find a Solution?

From time to time Solver will return with an error that a “Solver could not find a feasible solution.

When this happens it is indicating one of several possibilities:

  • Your model is over or under constrained
  • Your model constraints are impossible to meet
  • Your model constraints have an error

Start by checking the current constraints for errors and ambiguities

Eg: in our case we have 8 items so requiring the Count of the two buckets to be 20 is impossible to meet

 

My Solver Answer has Strange Numbers?

In solver up to and including Excel 2007, solver would commonly return numbers like 3.5E-18.

This is 0.0000000000000000035, which is effectively 0

If your model returns these, feel free to go through the model and change them to 0, in our model we should also check as the corresponding 1, may in fact be 0.9999999999999999965.

It should be noted that this problem in Solver in Excel 2010 does not occur as often but will still occur.

 

What and How have you used solver in the past?

What and How have you used solver in the past?

Let us know in the comments below:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Share this tip with your colleagues

Excel and Power BI tips - Chandoo.org Newsletter

Get FREE Excel + Power BI Tips

Simple, fun and useful emails, once per week.

Learn & be awesome.

Welcome to Chandoo.org

Thank you so much for visiting. My aim is to make you awesome in Excel & Power BI. I do this by sharing videos, tips, examples and downloads on this website. There are more than 1,000 pages with all things Excel, Power BI, Dashboards & VBA here. Go ahead and spend few minutes to be AWESOME.

Read my storyFREE Excel tips book

Overall I learned a lot and I thought you did a great job of explaining how to do things. This will definitely elevate my reporting in the future.
Rebekah S
Reporting Analyst
Excel formula list - 100+ examples and howto guide for you

From simple to complex, there is a formula for every occasion. Check out the list now.

Calendars, invoices, trackers and much more. All free, fun and fantastic.

Advanced Pivot Table tricks

Power Query, Data model, DAX, Filters, Slicers, Conditional formats and beautiful charts. It's all here.

Still on fence about Power BI? In this getting started guide, learn what is Power BI, how to get it and how to create your first report from scratch.

129 Responses to “Write a formula to check few cells have same value [homework]”

  1. Arie says:

    =NOT(STDEV(A1:A4))

    this also works for large ranges of numerical values (but not for text)

  2. Detlef says:

    Hi

    Works for numbers, text and logical values on a range from A1:An.

    =COUNTIF(A1:An,A1)=ROWS(A1:An)

  3. lockdalf says:

    well if you name the range, you could use following:

    =IF(SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF('range','range'))=1,1,0) 

  4. Chris says:

    My solution is a, perhaphs slightly complex, array formula as follows:

    {=IFERROR(AVERAGE(IF(ISBLANK(A1:H1),9999,SUBSTITUTE(A1:H1,A1,9999)*1))=9999,FALSE)}

    Assuming there is a value (numerical, text, logic etc) in cell A1, this formula will work - and it will 'ignore' any cells that are 'blank' within the range A1:H1 (which can be extended to the required size).

    Breaking the formula down, the SUBSTITUTE(A1:H1,A1,9999) replaces all values (be it text / numerical) in the range A1:H1 that MATCH the value of cell A1 with the number 9999 (this should be changed to any number that WON'T APPEAR IN THE RANGE).

    These values are then multiplied by 1 (as SUBSTITUTE results in a text answer).

    Wrapping this in an IF(ISBLANK(A1:H1),9999,.........) formula takes care of any blank cells, setting them to this default value of 9999 also - this allows you to set the formula up once for a large range and then not have to alter as more data comes in.

    An Average is then taken of all these values - if all cells that contain values are the same, the average will come back to 9999.

    If all values are numerical but some differ, the average will differ from 9999 and will result in a FALSE answer. If some / all of the values are text and some differ from that in cell A1, the AVERAGE function will result in an Error, but in these instances the Match needs to return FALSE, hence the IFERROR function.

    Sure there's a simpler way to do this though!!

  5. George says:

    `{=IF(AND(COUNTA(RANGE)-SUM(--ISNUMBER(FIND(UPPER(FIRST ELEMENT IN RANGE),UPPER(RANGE))))=0,LEN(FIRST ELEMENT IN RANGE)=MAX(LEN(RANGE))),TRUE,FALSE)}`
    so if your data was in Column 1 and began in A1, you'd use
    `{=IF(AND(COUNTA($1:$1)-SUM(--ISNUMBER(FIND(UPPER($A$1),UPPER($1:$1))))=0,LEN($A$1)=MAX(LEN($1:$1))),TRUE,FALSE)}`

    This will work for strings and things, if you want it to be case sensitive (I don't), just remove the UPPER() part.
    What this does:

    `COUNTA($1:$1)`
    tells you how many entries you're looking at over your range (so we can work with an undetermined size).
    `--ISNUMBER()`
    ISNUMBER will return TRUE or FALSE depending on if the value inside is a number or not.  the -- part converts TRUE/FALSE in to 1 or 0.
    `UPPER()` OPTIONAL
    converts the value in to upper case.  If passed a number it changes it to text format.  This is what stops it from being case sensitive.
    `FIND($A$1,$1:$1)`
    will return a number if A1 is contained in each cell containing an entry in column 1.
    `LEN($A$1)=MAX(LEN($1:$1)`
    checks that all elements are the same length.  This is needed to avoid partial matches (without it, if A1 contained zzz and A2 contained azzza it would flag as true).

    REMEMBER this is an array formula, so enter with ctrl+shift+enter.

  6. Udit says:

    {=MIN(--(A1=OFFSET(A1,,,COUNTA(A1:A4))))}

    Gives 0 if false and 1 if true

  7. Ray Blake says:

    =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)/COUNTA(A:A) = 1

    This meets both bonus requirements and is dynamic. Keep adding more contents in column A and it will include these automatically. 

    • Mike K says:

      I like this a one a lot. I would make one small change by inserting a table for my data range. Makes it dynamic without selecting the whole column

       =IF(COUNTIF(tableName[colName],A2)/COUNTA(tableName[colName])=1,TRUE,FALSE)

  8. Sudhir Gawade says:

    For only Numeric values

    =MAX(A:A)=MIN(A:A)

  9. Sandy Siegel says:

    =(A1=B1)*(B1=C1)*(C1=D1)

  10. Elias says:

    Case sensitive.

    =SUMPRODUCT(0+EXACT(A1:A4,A1))=COUNTA(A1:A4)

    Regards

  11. PPH says:

    I'd use this

    =COUNTIF(range,INDEX(range,MODE(MATCH(range,range,0))))=COUNTA(range)

    It takes Hui's formula but ensures that the test value for the countif is the value or string that is most common in the range. Just in case you get a false but the problem is just with your test value being the odd one out.

  12. José Lôbo says:

    =SE(E(A1=A2;A1=A3);SE(E(A1=A4;A2=A3);SE(E(A2=A4;A3=A4);"ok")))
     
    SE = IF
    E = AND

  13. Stan Cullerne-Bown says:

    Bonus question 1 & 2
    Array formula: {AND(A1=A1:AN)}
    This will test all cells in range, including text and numbers. 

    Cheers 

  14. D Stinson says:

    A very simple solution uses Excel's Rank function.  Insert in B1 = Rank(A1, $A$1:$A$4).  Copy down this formula to B4.  If the answers in B1 thru B4 are all 1, the values are equal.  For an open range of cells, label the range of input (example "TestData") and place the label in the funtion (= Rank(A1, TestData) then copy down to an equivelent length of rows as the range.

  15. Tom Moedl says:

    =IF(SUM(A1:A4)/COUNT(A1:A4)=A1,TRUE,FALSE)

  16. Melanie says:

    =IF(SUM(A1:D1)/4=A1,"True","False")

  17. Tom Moedl says:

    I enjoy your emails.  I have learned a lot from them.  Thank you for what you do.

  18. .
     
    {=PRODUCT(--(A1=A1:A4))}
     
    .
    Change A4 to An.

  19. jimmy says:

    =IF((SUM(A1:A4)/COUNT(A1:A4))=A1,"TRUE","FALSE")

  20. Kishore Kumar says:

    I would use the formula which is mentioned below:-

    =IF(PRODUCT($A:$A)=A1^(COUNTIF($A:$A,A1)),"Yes","No")

  21. Karl says:

    At last a homework assignment that I could answer on my own. And I even understand some of the elegant answers from other readers this time.
    My solution was to nest IF statements:
    =IF(A4=A3,IF(A3=A2,IF(A2=A1,TRUE,FALSE),FALSE),FALSE)
    This satisfies bonus question 2 but I think the structure makes it impossible to modify this solution to satisfy bonus question 1. And I wouldn't want to use this strategy to compare very many values...

  22. Bob Bonner says:

    This answers all of your questions:

    =PRODUCT(--(INDIRECT("$A$1:$A$"&$B$1)=$A$1))

    where column A contains the values and $B$1 has the number of rows to assign to last A-cell. 

  23. Sanjay says:

    =IF(A1=A2:A2=A3:A3=A4>1,"TRUE","FALSE")
    =IF(A1=A2:A2=A3:A3=An>1,"TRUE","FALSE")
    =SUM(HELLO, A1)

  24. Livigs says:

    {=IF(SUM(IF(A1:A4=A1,0,1))=0,TRUE,FALSE)}
     
    This will work for numbers or text, and will work for any number of cells (A4 would just be An)

  25. Brian LaGrand says:

    Here's another alternate, assuming values in cells a1:d1
     
    =IF((A1*B1*C1*D1)^(1/COUNT(A1:D1))=AVERAGE(A1:D1),1,0)

  26. Supertaitai says:

    {=IF(AND($A$1:$A$4=OFFSET(A1,0,0)),1,0)}

  27. Virginia says:

    =SUM(IF(FREQUENCY(MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0),MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0))>0,1))

  28. Sanjay says:

    REVISED FORMULA
       =IF((A1=A2)*AND(A1=A3)*AND(A1=A4),"TRUE","FALSE")

    Regards

  29. Don says:

    =IF(SUMPRODUCT(--(A2:A5=A2))/COUNTA(A2:A5)=1,1,0)

  30. Bryan says:

    I would use something like this:  =COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)

    • Bryan says:

      You can even do a whole range and as you enter data into the range it tells you if they all match.  Going down to row 5000:  =COUNTA(A1:A5000)=COUNTIF(A1:A5000,A1).

      Thanks,
      B

  31. Manoj says:

    {=SUM(--(A1:A101=A1))=(COUNTA(A1:A10)+COUNTBLANK(A1:A10))}

  32. Ken ?-del says:

    For numeric values:

    =(OFFSET(list,,,1,1)=AVERAGE(list))

    where list = A1:A4 

    • Ken says:

      I need to retract my own post here guys. 

      It is WRONG! Let me explain.

      Suppose we have

      A1 = 1
      A2 = 0
      A3 = 2

      then Average = 1 and OFFSET(list,,,1,1) = 1
      so 1 = 1 but all the elements are NOT equal.

       

  33. Manoj says:

    correction 
    {=SUM(--(A1:A10=A1))=(COUNTA(A1:A10)+COUNTBLANK(A1:A10))}

  34. Pavel Lasák says:

    =IF(A1=B1,IF(B1=C1,IF(C1=D1,TRUE,FALSE),FALSE),FALSE) ....

  35. Matthew Holbrook says:

    =COUNTIF(OFFSET($A$1,0,0,COUNTA($A:$A),1),$A$1)=ROWS(OFFSET($A$1,0,0,COUNTA($A:$A),1))

  36. Parin Thacker says:

    I have a little more flexible approach. Suppose the value of 'n' is known. There is a possibility that only some of the cells in a row are filled up. For example if n = 10, then in a row, A1 to A10 must be compared. But in case only cells upto A7 are filled up. The formula thus has to adapt accordingly. Below formula does that:

    =COUNTIF(INDIRECT(ADDRESS(ROW(),1)&":"&ADDRESS(ROW(),COUNTA(A1:J1))),A1)=COUNTA(INDIRECT(ADDRESS(ROW(),1)&":"&ADDRESS(ROW(),COUNTA(A1:J1))))

  37. Ingo says:

    In A1:A100 is word/number
    In B1 is word/number we look

    C1=MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(A1:A100=B1,ROW(A1:A100)),IF(A1:A100<>B1,ROW(A1:A100))))  array formula

  38. Shubhro De says:

    We can use an array formula
    {=PRODUCT(--(A1:An=A1))}
    OR if we want n variable
    {=PRODUCT(--(INDIRECT("A1:A"&COUNTA(A:A))=A1))} 

  39. Steve LeLaurin says:

    {=AND(A1=A2:An)}

  40. Ariel says:

    I would use this one (simlpe)

    =(COUNTA(A:A)=COUNTIF(A:A;A1))

  41. uri Weiss says:

    try this
    =MAX(A1:A4)=MIN(A1:A4)

  42. uri Weiss says:

    Olso try this
    {=SUM(RANK(A1:A10,A1:A10))=COUNT(A1:A10)}
    Please notice it is an Array Formula

  43. elnur says:

    Dear All,
    i used that formula
    {=IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1:A4)=COUNTA(A1:A4),TRUE,FALSE)}

  44. andy holaday says:

    Love the variety of responses.

    =MAX(A1:A4)=MIN(A1:A4)
    and
    =COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)
    will return true if the input range has blank cells

    My personal fave is the array formula {=AND(A1=A1:A4)}. Short and sweet, and easy to read. Blank cells will tally as a mismatch.

    A close second is 
    =SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1:A4))=1
    which will throw an error if blanks are present. 

     

  45. mahesh says:

    =PRODUCT(B1:D1)=B1^COUNT(B1:D1)...will return TRUE or FALSE

  46. Prem Singh says:

     
    Dear Sir,
     
    My answer is =exact(a2,a1)

  47. jack corley says:

    =IF((a1=a2=a3=a4),1,0)

  48. Arshad says:

    Hello Chandoo,
    We can also use Conditional Formatting......

  49. Akash Khandelwal says:

    For Numerics..

    =SUM(A1:AN)/A1=COUNT(A1:AN)
    results in True/False.

  50. Manoj Gupta says:

    =AND(IF(A1=B1,1,0),IF(B1=C1,1,0),IF(C1=D1,1,0))

  51. sam says:

    =AND(A1=A2:A4) array entered
    Generic
    =AND(A1=A2:An) array entered

  52. shrivallabha says:

    =--(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A4))
    will give value as 1 or 0

  53. James says:

    Hi there, here's a simple formula to determine not only whether all 4 cells (A1 --> A4) are equal, but also whether any of the cells are equal and identifies which cells they are ...

    =COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$1)*1000+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$2)*100+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$3)*10+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$4)*1

    A result of 1111 means no cells are equal, 4444 means all cells are equal, 1212 would mean there are 2 cells the same & they are in A2 & A4, etc

  54. Lood says:

    =((A1=B1)+(A1=C1)+(A1=D1))=3

    Obviously doesn't cover bonus question 1, but does so for q2 🙂
     

  55. Abhishek says:

    If formula

  56. Shmuel says:

    =MIN(A1:A4)=MAX(A1:A4)

  57. Faez says:

    Try this formula

    =IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)-ROWS(A1:A4)=0,"True","Flase")

  58. Werner says:

    I used the Swiss knife of excel: SUMPRODUCT, works for numeric as well as for non-numeric cell content and A1:A4 is obviously easily changed to any range.

    =IF(SUMPRODUCT(--(OFFSET($A$1:$A$4,0,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,1)=OFFSET($A$1:$A$4,1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,1)))=ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,TRUE(),FALSE())

    • roirraWedorehT says:

      All of the individual non-array formulas (didn't test the array ones) have one flaw or another - mostly specifically if all the columns are blank, the result would still be false.

      Another formula in the comments worked for these but didn't work for when all columns had "0.00" in them. My solution was to OR the two. If H3 through H149 have your values, then this is what worked for me:

      =IF(OR(COUNTIF(H3:H149,H3)=COUNTA(H3:H149),SUMIFS(H3:H149,H3:H149,1)=COUNT(H3:H149)),IF(H3="","Blank",H3),"")

      This solution puts "Blank" if all the rows are blank, otherwise, it puts whatever the value that's in all of the rows - "0.00" or whatever.

      Thanks for all the answers!

  59. Allan R says:

    I used a nested if statement which also showed, via the false message, the first instance of cells which were not equal for the cells a1 to a5.

    =IF(A1=A2, IF(A2=A3, IF(A3=A4, IF(A4 = A5, "True","False A4"), "False A3"), "False A2"))

  60. Shailesh says:

    Hi,

    First, let me begin by saying, I am a big fan of all your posts and read your emails, mostly on the same day as you send them. I have not replied as much as I wanted to.

    This is my first attempt at answering a question on your post

    I came up with a simple check which will test if all values in a range A1:An are same or not

    Assuming range you want to check is A1:A10,
    In Cell B1, insert the formula 

    =IF(COUNTIFS(A1:A10,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A10),"All cells are same","All cells are not same") 

    The idea I applied is counting total number of non-blank cells and then counting the number of cells which match cell A1. If these are same, then it means
    a) all cells have the same value! (All can be blank, then both counts will be zero)

    I am working on finding the range automatically 🙂

    Can extend this into VBA and use InputBox etc to generate some user interaction

    Thanks
    Shailesh 

  61. Chirag says:

    =IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)=COUNT(A1:A4),TRUE,FALSE)

  62. Rafaqat Ali says:

    For homework & Bonus Question 3

    =IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),1,0)

       
      

  63. Christopher A says:

    =IF(SUMIFS(A12:A15,A12:A15,1)=COUNT(A12:A15),1,0)

  64. Sanjeev Sawal says:

    One possible solution could be =+IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)-COUNT(A1:A4)=0,1,0)
    where A1:A4 is data range which can be a dynamic range and the formula can be modified accordingly. 
    Rgds,
    Sanjeev Sawal

  65. I got the right result with this one:

    =IF(A1=B1;IF(C1=D1;IF(B1=C1;1;0);0);0) 

  66. SIVAKUMAR R says:

    =and(a1=a2,a1=a2,a1=a3)
     

  67. SIVAKUMAR R says:

    ANSWER FOR bONUS 1

    =MAX(A1:A10)-MIN(A1:A10) 

  68. VaraK says:

    =AND(A1:A3=A2:A4)..Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter (As as array formula). Works well for Text values and large range of values as well.

  69. Istiyak says:

    suppose cells contain 2 values ==== Yes | no

    formula :
    1
    =counta(a1:a4)=countif(a1:a4,"yes")
    It will return True or False.

    2
    =IF((COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,"yes")),"Same value","Mis-match")
    it will return Same Value OR Mis-match.

    Hope you like it.

    Regards
    Istiyak

  70. Suraj Nair says:

    Also can use this formula
    =IF(AND(A1=A2,A1=A3,A1=A4),"1","0")

  71. Antonio says:

    Let say the values are in the range $B$1:$E$1, then the formula is:

    If(sumproduct(--($B$1:$E$1=$B$1))=CountA($B$1:$E$1);1;0)

    Please check that:
    * $B$1 was used as pivot value and could be randomly selected
    * It works well if parenthesis is omitted for values "1" and "0"
    * This formula applies also to "n-values" and non-numeric values (text, logical, etc.)

    Regards,

  72. Jorrie says:

    Hi, first time trying to solve a probleme.
    New at this but really enjoying Chardoo.org

    Think the following will work in all 3 questions

    {=IF(SUM(IF(A1=$A:$A,1,0))=COUNTA($A:$A),TRUE,FALSE)}

    Regards

    Jorrie
         

  73. Ashok Variyani says:

    use below formula for to get True / False

    =COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4)

    and use below formula for to get {1/0} or {match / Mismatch}

    =IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),{1,0} or {match,Mismatch})

  74. [...] Last week in Write a formula to check few cells have same value [Homework], [...]

  75. Cristian says:

    Hi, sorry if it's repeated, this array formula works well with numbers or text, the range can easily be dynamic: {=AND(A1:An=A1)} Now, after three days, I understand a lot more about array formulae, thanks?

  76. Adam says:

    =IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),"TRUE","FALSE")

    • Yani says:

      What if there are not only four cells to compare but An?
      how will I determine if there is one cell that is not equal from any other cells?

  77. Netaji Bhopale says:

    =IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),1,0)
    =IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),”Match”,”Mismatch”)+
    =IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),”TRUE”,”FALSE”)

  78. Aniket says:

    =iF(AND(EXACT(C15,D15),EXACT(E15,F15)),"Match","Mis-match")

  79. frank says:

    how this formula works in excel (B4+E4)/50*20
     

  80. Jerome says:

    I'm a little late to the party, but I figured I'd post anyways.

    For numbers only:
    =NOT(VAR.P(A1:An)) 

  81. nazmul_muneer says:

    The formula given below will fulfill the all criteria including bonus questions

    =IF(COUNTA(A:A)=COUNTIF(A:A,A1),"True","False")

    REGARDS 

  82. venkat says:

    =IF(MATCH(A1,A2:A4,0),TRUE,FALSE)
     

  83. Naveen Kumar says:

    =IF(COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A1)>1,"true","false")
    =IF(COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1,"true","false")
     

    • Hui... says:

      @Naveen
       
      You can simplify your formulas as below:
      =COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A1)>1
      =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1
      Excel will return True or False without the need for the If() function

  84. Raghavendra says:

    Hi ,
     
    This question is similar to the one in the post.
    I have Text values in cell A1 and A2. 
    If A1 = A2, update 10 in cell A3 , else 0.
    Is there any formula for this. I am new to VB and hence do not have much knowledge. Eager to learn!!
     
    Thanks in advance !!!

  85. sandeep sharma says:

    =AND(A1=A2,A1=A3,A1=A4)

  86. sandeep sharma says:

    also =IF(AND(A1:A4=A1),TRUE,FALSE)

  87. Akshay says:

    One can use "IF, AND" formula.

    =IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A1),"True","False")

  88. Cards says:

    =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)=COUNTA(A:A)

  89. Ritesh says:

    Enter array formula like, = IF($B$16:$B$21=$B$17:$B$22,"Yes","No")

  90. sunil gupta says:

    =IF(AND($E$5=$E$6,$E$6=$E$7,$E$7=$E$8),"true","flase")
    it can work try this one

  91. Andy Gore says:

    A question for you
    sheet 1 table A1:C10

    What formula in sheet 2 A1 will give me what is entered in the table sheet 1 A1:C10
    There is usually only one entry made in the table but if you can supply the answer to 1 or 2 entries I would be grateful

  92. Duncan says:

    =max(A:A)=min(A:A)

  93. Eduardo says:

    FOR TEXT DATA
    =COUNTIF(A1:A5,a1)=COUNTIF(A1:A5,"*?")

    FOR VALUE DATA
    =COUNTIF(A1:A5,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A5)

    Both Return TRUE or FALSE

  94. kaushik says:

    =if({sum(1/countif($A$1:$A$n,A1:An)}=1,"All Same","Not All Same")

  95. manish gupta says:

    I use formula A1=B1 and get value of TRUE / FALSE in C1. I had dragged this formula for 10 rows. Now in cell D2 i tried to put formula..

    =if(and(c1="False", c2="true"), "conflict", "no conflict")

    but even when the condition is true i am still getting no conflict.

    Can you please advice?
    thanks,
    Manish

    • Hui... says:

      @Manish
      Remove the " from around True and False
      =if(and(c1=False, c2=True), "conflict", "no conflict")

      In C1 and C2 you have a Boolean expression and it evaluates as True/False
      These are not text, although they do appear as Text, they are not 1/0 although they sometimes behave as 1/0, they are in fact Boolean values True/False

      So in your example you can simplify it as
      =If( And( Not(C1), C2), "conflict", "no conflict")

  96. Mohammed says:

    =SUMPRODUCT(MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0))=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)

  97. adivyom says:

    Answer to both bonus questions 2 and 3:

    =COUNTIF(A1:An,A1)=COUNT(A1:An)

  98. Yves S says:

    answer to all questions:
    ={IF(ISERROR(MATCH(FALSE,((A1:An)=$A$1),0)),"same","different")}

    this works with numeric, non-numeric, and blanks:

    COUNT will not count numeric
    COUNTA will count blanks as one

  99. cnestg8r says:

    =SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF(B1:J1,B1:J1))

    This will tell you how many unique values exist in the selected range. Text or numeric mixed.

  100. RAJIV SIROHI says:

    {=IF(AND(A1:A9=A2:A10),"EQUAL","NOT EQUAL")}

    this is an array formula, insert it with CSE.

  101. Anonymous Coward says:

    COUNTA/UNIQUE

  102. Tiago Couto says:

    =SUMPRODUCT(A:A)/A1=COUNT(A:A)

  103. Gabe says:

    =COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1) = COUNTA(A1:A4)

Leave a Reply