In excel is there a formula to produce random numbers?

RAND FUNCTION

=RAND()

will produce a random number between 0 and 1. If you want a higher range you can use:

=RAND()*100

If you want only whole numbers you can use:

=INT(RAND()*100)

RANDBETWEEN

=RANDBETWEEN(1,500)

Will produce a random whole number between 1 and 500.

As you can see, both can produce pretty much any sort of random number. But what if you have a list of names and you want to select one at random? It easier than you may think!

Formula For Random Numbers

Yup there sure is and I use it all the time type this in a cell =RANDBETWEEN(1,10) you'll get a number between 1 and 10. you can use negative numbers to like =RANDBETWEEN(-5,0) remember the smallest number goes first then the larger one.

If it does not work, depending on which version of office you are using you may need to install a analytical pack. Its under tools or options on pre-2007 office

If you still have trouble let me know

Toidal

Rand ()

Returns an evenly distributed random number greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1. A new random number is returned every time the worksheet is calculated.

To generate a random real number between a and b, use: RAND()*(b-a)+a

If you want to use RAND to generate a random number but don't want the numbers to change every time the cell is calculated, you can enter =RAND() in the formula bar, and then press F9 to change the formula to a random number.

To generate a random number greater than or equal to 0 but less than 100:

RAND()*100

Everyone seems to have posted the answer to your question... so all good n that...

You mention... "for invoice numbers etc"... what do you mean? why are you using random numbers for invoice numbers? You do realise it could randomly select the same number twice, three times, every time (would be bizarre but possible), right? Are you sure you need random numbers?

=RAND() produces a random number between 0 and 1. Or you could use =RANDBETWEEN(1,500), for example, to get a random number between 1 and 500. You'll need to use =INT() if you only want whole number values though.

Or why not simply run a macro to increase the number by one each time so you get the next invoice number in logical order.

=RAND()*45+15 Here's how it works: The RAND() function returns a value between 0 and 1. So you multiply that by 45 to get values between 0 and 45. Then add 15 to that to get values between 15 and 60. Voila!

What you need is MOD function, not a Randomiser. With MOD you create a unique series of ascending numbers with unique non-sequential Check digit, the type used in creating Account Numbers in Banks etc.

Format : MOD(n, d) = n - d*INT(n/d)

See MOD in MS Excel Help for detail of usage.

=rand()

Returns a random number greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1.

=randbetween(bottom,top)

Returns a random number between the numbers you specify