RANDOM function

[jason]

How does the built in Random number function in Excel work?

Is it truly random?

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi Jason!

For Excel 2003 see:

Excel Statistical Functions: RAND
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828795&Product=xlw

But also makes sure you see:

The RAND function returns negative numbers in Excel 2003
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;834520&Product=xlw

--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
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[Serkan Gur]

It uses the timer in the PC as its base, believes the time
elapsed since the PC was turned on is random enough.

 

[Jerry W. Lewis]

It may use the clock for the first value, but subsequent values are
calculated mathematically using a process (documented in Knolwedge Base)
that approximates randomness in many ways.

Jerry