Exclusion Constraint
Block specific values or ranges for a single variable.
An exclusion constraint tells the optimizer: "never suggest values in this range, inclusive, (or this category) for this variable." It applies unconditionally — regardless of what other variables are set to.
How It Works
Select the variable you want to restrict.
Define one or more exclusion ranges.
For numerical variables: specify a lower and upper bound for each excluded range.
For categorical variables: select the categories to exclude.
Examples
Numerical — Unsafe temperature zone
Variable: Temperature (range 20–300 °C)
Exclude: 100–150 °C
Why: This range causes a runaway reaction
The optimizer will only suggest temperatures in 20–100 °C or 150–300 °C.
Numerical — Multiple excluded zones
Variable: Pressure (range 1–50 bar)
Exclude zone 1: 10–15 bar
Exclude zone 2: 30–35 bar
Why: Equipment resonance at these pressures
Categorical — Unavailable solvent
Variable: Solvent (Ethanol, Methanol, Acetone, Toluene, DCM)
Exclude: Toluene, DCM
Why: Safety restrictions in the lab
The optimizer will only suggest Ethanol, Methanol, or Acetone.
When to Use It
A region of the variable range is physically unsafe or impractical.
Certain categories are unavailable or forbidden.
You already know some values will not work and want to save experiments.
Good to Know
You can add multiple exclusion ranges on the same variable.
You cannot exclude the entire range — at least some values must remain available.
If the exclusion depends on another variable's value, use Conditional Exclusion instead.