Random Sort

[koba]

Hi All

Does anybody know a way to randomly sort data.

I am running a competition and want to randomly sort the names i
column a to that i can then pick one.

Unless anyone else knows a good way of picking a winner out of 19
names (does not have to use exel)

Thank

 

[Dave Peterson]

Use a helper column and put =rand() in the first cell and drag down the column.

Then sort all the columns by this helper column.

(names on slips of paper drawn from a hat?)

 

[George]

Lets assume Column A has your names for example
Try using =RAND() in column B
Then sort on column B

Note:
The random numbers will change every time you recalculate the sheet
So if you want to keep the original random numbers, you could copy and
'paste special > values' over themselves
Or you could delete column B after sorting.

Hope it helps
George

 

[daddylonglegs]

Well, you could write all the names on pieces of paper and put them in
hat....

But seriously....if you have your names in A1:A192 and want to pick on
at random use this formula

=INDEX(A1:A192,RAND()*ROWS(A1:A192)+1