Is it possible to do such thing? Optimizing products price based on budget.

Hi everyone, real struggle here and I don't even know if it is possible with excel so I need an Excel super hero!!

Problematic: I would like to select as much products as possible in a list in order to be as close as possible of a budget, without going over. "Let say I have a budget for Christmas ($23.5), and a long list of sub $1 presents. I would like to optimize my shopping list and take as many presents as possible without going over $23.5 but being as close as possible."

I have seen several tutos and people talking about "solver" but it's difficult to use with my beginner level this is why I am asking for some help.


Ex: I have a list of products with different prices, and a fixed budget to not go over (let say $6):

Products----------Price
Product #1-------0.97
Product #2-------1.33
Product #3-------1.60
Product #4-------1.70
Product #5-------1.89
Product #6-------1.87
Product #7-------1.55
Product #8-------1.65

Here, for example, the ideal outcome would be "Product 1 ($0.97) + Product 3 ($1.60) + Product 6 ($1.87) and Product 7 ($1.55)" as it would arrive at $5.99.


Even if there is multiple solution, it's not a problem, the challenge is simply to arrive as close as the budget using any product, there is no priority in the product list.

Hopefully you get an idea how to make such a formula/system.

Thank you

this is my solution. The best group 7 is the most close to budget.
Attachment 845204

Originally Posted by W_Sir

this is my solution. The best group 7 is the most close to budget.
Attachment 845204

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