Calculate minimum distance between points

**ciprian** · 11-08-2011, 04:06 AM

Hi, I need to be calculate the minimal distance between some points.

I attached a jpeg with an example.

So if i want to travel from point 1 to 3 the direct route would be 5 km long, but if i go through point 2 (point 1 -> point 2 -> point 3) than the total distance is only 2 km.

Another example is if i want to go from 1 to 4 the direct distance is 7 km but, the minimal distance is only 4km.

So how do i make this work in excel.

Thanks for the help.

**StephenR** · 11-08-2011, 06:41 AM

Are you asking us for a method to do it, or how to implement in Excel? If the former, what is your method? And post a workbook please, not a picture.

**MrShorty** · 11-08-2011, 10:34 AM

If you are looking for the method, you might find this Wikipedia article interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathfinding A couple of algorithms for such problems are suggested, and pseudocode for each algorithm is included in the pages for each algorithm.

**zbor** · 11-08-2011, 10:55 AM

This could be a starting point by defining distance cost between all routes.

Then calculate all possibilites as in example:
- if returned to same point drop out
- if not defined then error (like here no G defined)
- otherwise SUM...

Now.. Who has enought free time to do this

**ciprian** · 11-08-2011, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by zbor

This could be a starting point by defining distance cost between all routes.

Then calculate all possibilites as in example:
- if returned to same point drop out
- if not defined then error (like here no G defined)
- otherwise SUM...

Now.. Who has enought free time to do this

i couldn't have given a better example