Unique RANDOM NUMBERS within specified range

[Guest]

Hi,

I have looked at the Random Number Generator Add-in and the =RAND function
but can't get either to do what I want (although I'm sure they can)

I have a range of cells in a single column (A2:A3667), and I want a list of
random numbers to fill that range using the values 1:3666, using each value
once and once only. Effectively randomising the row numbers.

How can I do this?

Cheers,

Matt

 

[Bob Phillips]

Matt,

In A2, enter

=RAND()

In B2, enter

=RANK(A2,$A$2:$A$3667)

then copy A2:B2 down to row 3667.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Well that worked - wasn't quite the way I was expecting to be able to do it,
but thanks! Can this guarantee that the numbers in column A will be unique?

Also, don't know if this is normal but the random numbers I generate in Col
A are all decimals, why's that?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Because RAND() returns values from [0...1).

Another way, without the helper column:

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/udfs/randint.html

 

[Bob Phillips]

I cannot guarantee that the numbers in A will be unique, but in all the
times I have used it I have never seen a duplicate.

If you want to be sure, use

A2: =RAND()
B2: =RANK(A2,$A$2:$A$3667)+ROW()/10^7
C2: =RANK(B2,$B$2:$B$3667,1)

and copy down

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)

 

[cderby]

Because RAND() returns values from [0...1).

Another way, without the helper column:

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/udfs/randint.html

Also, don't know if this is normal but the random numbers I generate in Col
A are all decimals, why's that?