Numerical Fill-In Generator
Difficulty Options
How can I increase the difficulty of my Fill-In puzzles?
Numerical Fill-In Generator Version 2.0 has two different difficulty settings that can
be used on all of the puzzle types. These settings can be checked on or off from the
Main Menu. These settings are used during the current instance of the program and
are reset when the program is started.
- Don't Show First Number
This option, if checked, will remove the starting number from the puzzle
when it is created. This will greatly enhance the difficulty of many puzzles, and
since some puzzles are symmetrical, more than one solution may exist. A new menu
item, Show Starting Number, will be accessible from the File menu
on the puzzle to show the starting number if you change your mind for the current game.

Small Puzzle Five Squares with the starting number not shown
- Reduced Numbers
This option increases the difficulty of the puzzles by reducing the value of
the digits used in the numbers when checked. Normally the numbers are created with
digits ranging from 0 to 9. When the Reduced Numbers option is checked,
however, the numbers are created with digits ranging from 0 to 5. In turn, this may
cause additional duplicates in the smaller numbers (2-digit and 3-digit numbers), but the
puzzles are solved the same way. Try the feature on a couple of puzzles to fully
understand how much more difficult the puzzles become.

Small Puzzle Wheel with the Reduced Numbers option selected
Both of these options are not set by default. Nevertheless the puzzles will still
be plenty difficult without these options. While every puzzle has a solution, it may
not be possible to easily determine the solution.