Excel 2003: RAND and RANDBETWEEN functions

[Harlan Grove]

Before paying $35 to speak to Microsoft Tech Support (albeit with the
chance of a refund), does anyone know if the RAND() "hotfix" includes
the VBA Rnd() function? Most of the derivative pricing models I've seen
on Wall Street use the VBA Rnd() function rather than the spreadsheet
=RAND() function.

The VBA Rnd function is, AFAIK, completely separate from Excel's worksheet
function RAND(). Install Word or PowerPoint alone, and VBA still comes with
Rnd even though there's no Excel in sight.

The bug that was reported in Excel's RAND() (and, derivatively, in Excel's
RANDBETWEEN()). There's been no mention of VBA's Rnd sharing this bug. That
does beg the question whether VBA's Rnd then won't share the improvements
made in Excel 2003's RAND() once it's been corrected.

That said, if the gurus on Wall Street are really using VBA's Rnd rather
than one of the several high quality simulation add-ins (or stand-alone
packages), it'd be very difficult to muster any sympathy if that costs them
anything.

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi Pat!

See the post from Rita Nikas of Microsoft:

"My understanding is that, as long as you are experiencing at least
*one* of
the problems outlined in 833618, you can call Product Support Services
and
receive the fix free of charge. Please be aware that, if the fix
doesn't
resolve your concern or you need further assistance, that can be a
charged
incident."

I'm not aware of reports regarding VBA's Rnd function suffering from
this bug.

--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi!

Thanks to Rita Nikas, the KB article is now back on line.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=833618

The hotfix should be available from Product Support free of charge.
--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.
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