---
title: "Nearly Complete: Sudoku Technique #2 | Sudoku Flow"
description: "Nearly Complete: When a row, column, or box has two empty cells, if one of its two missing numbers is already used in a row, column, or box containing one of…"
url: https://sudokuflow.com/lessons/nearlyLastRemaining/
language: en
---

[Sudoku technique lessons](https://sudokuflow.com/lessons/) / Nearly Complete

Lesson 2

# Nearly Complete

## The rule

When a row, column, or box has two empty cells, if one of its two missing numbers is already used in a row, column, or box containing one of those cells, it cannot go in that cell, so the other missing number must go there.

## Step by step

1. This row only needs 1, 2.
2. 2 is already in the same column, so it cannot go in this cell.
3. Only 1 remains for this cell!

[Read the full lesson, with more examples →](https://sudoku.rubigogames.com/techniques/nearly-complete.html) [Watch on YouTube](https://youtube.com/shorts/59Jr-U8uYOc)

In our app, when this technique is the next step, the hint names it and shows you why, step by step. No ads, free to download.

[App Store iPhone, iPad, Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6502922368?pt=125379530&ct=sudokuflow_cta&mt=8) [Google Play Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rubigogames.sudoku&referrer=utm_source%3Dsudokuflow%26utm_medium%3Dcta%26utm_campaign%3Dlesson)

## Try it on more boards

Each board is a real puzzle from our app, at a moment where Nearly Complete applies. Find the step yourself, or tap Hint and the app's own hint walks you through it.

Nearly Complete practice board:

```text
9* 8  5* | 1  4* 3* | 2  7* 6*
4  1* 3* | 2* 7  6* | 9* 8  5
2* 7* 6  | 9  5* 8* | 4* 1* 3*
---------+----------+---------
8* 5* 2* | 4  1* 9  | 3  6  7*
1  3* 9* | 7* 6* 2* | 8* 5  4*
7  6* 4* | .  3  .  | 1* 9* 2*
---------+----------+---------
.  9* 8* | .  2* .  | .  4  1
3  4* 7* | 6  9* 1  | 5  2* 8*
.  2  1* | .  8  4* | .  3  9*
```
Digits marked * were filled in by a player; the others were printed with the puzzle.

![Sudoku app icon](https://sudokuflow.com/assets/app-icon.png)

## Want more boards like this?

We also make a Sudoku app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android. There are no ads in it at all, it works offline, and when you ask for a hint it shows you the technique instead of just filling in a number.

[App Store iPhone, iPad, Mac](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6502922368?pt=125379530&ct=sudokuflow_web&mt=8) [Google Play Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rubigogames.sudoku&referrer=utm_source%3Dsudokuflow%26utm_medium%3Dweb%26utm_campaign%3Dsite)

Sudoku Flow is made by Rubigo Games, the developer of the Sudoku app recommended on this site.