XL: Using RAND() to Generate Randomly Distributed Integers

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.x, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0
• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel does not include a built-in method for generating sets of randomly sorted, uniformly distributed integers. The information in this article describes how you can use the RAND function (which is integral to Microsoft Excel) to create a set of this kind.

MORE INFORMATION

Below is an example of a set of randomly sorted, uniformly distributed integers from 1 to 10:

   10   5   7   4   8   1   6   2   3   9

To generate such a set of randomly sorted, uniformly distributed integers, follow these steps:

1. In a new worksheet, enter the following formulas:

          A1: =RAND()       B1:   1
          A2: =RAND()       B2:   2
          A3: =RAND()       B3:   3
          A4: =RAND()       B4:   4
          A5: =RAND()       B5:   5
          A6: =RAND()       B6:   6
          A7: =RAND()       B7:   7
          A8: =RAND()       B8:   8
          A9: =RAND()       B9:   9
         A10: =RAND()       B10: 10
   
   

2. Select the range A1:B10.

3. On the Data menu, click Sort.

4. In the 1st Key box, enter A1 and click OK to sort the range.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 4.0, page 344 "Microsoft Excel Function Reference," version 3.0, page 191 "Microsoft Excel Functions and Macros," version 2.1 for Windows, page 396