Can you sort text in a random order in Excel

[Guest]

I'm fairly new to excel and trying to figure out if I can sort a column of
text in a random order. Any information would be appreicated

 

[Bernie Deitrick]

tbowden,

If you insert a column, and fill it with formulas

=RAND()

to match your text, then select and sort both the text and the formulas
based on the formula, you will have randomized your text.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP

 

[JulieD]

Hi

generally the way to do this is to use another column as a "helper" column
and put a function in this column to generate random numbers and then sort
by this column.

to do this, choose a column adjacent to your data an in the first cell type
=ROUND(RAND()*1000,0)
now double click on the little fill handle (+) bottom right of cell to copy
the formula down the column
select this column - choose copy, edit / paste special - values OK
to change the formula into values
Now click in one cell only, choose data / sort - ensure that the correct
range has been highlighted and choose to sort on this column of numbers -
either ascending or descending.

You can then delete the column of numbers if you like.

Cheers
JulieD

 

[Bernd Plumhoff]

If you have 8 texts in cells A1:A8 you can select cells
B1:B8, enter

=INDEX(A1:A8,UniqRandInt(COUNTIF(A1:A8,"<>"""""),FALSE))

(as array formula, enter with CTRL+SHIFT+RETURN), for
example.

You will find the function UniqRandInt() at
www.sulprobil.com. Copy its text, press ALT+F11, insert a
module, then paste the copied vba function text. That's
it, I hope.

HTH,
Bernd