How to Get a Random Sample in Excel

If you have records in a Microsoft Excel 2007 spreadsheet, you can get a random sample of those records. A random sample will help you make important decisions from a smaller selection of data. Follow the steps below to learn how you can get a random sample in Excel.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Excel 2007

Instructions

1. Start Microsoft Excel 2007 and open a workbook from your files that contains data you want to use to get a random sample.

2. Verify that column A is empty, so you can use it to generate random numbers into. If you have data in column A, then you will need to add a number column so column A becomes empty and can be used to store the random numbers.

3. Click and drag to select the cells in column A that correspond with the records in the other cells. You want to select an empty cell for each row of information you have in the spreadsheet.

4. Type "=RAND()" (no quotes) in the "Formula" textbox. Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard to generate the random numbers into column A.

5. Select all of the data in your spreadsheet along with the corresponding random numbers. Do not select any titles or headings.

6. Use the "Data" tab at the top of the screen and click the "Sort" button from the "Sort and Filter" group in the "Data" ribbon. The "Sort" dialog box will open onto the screen.

7. Choose "Column A" from the "Sort by Column" drop-down list and "Smallest to Largest" from the "Sort by Order" drop-down list. Click the "OK" button to close the dialog box and return to your spreadsheet. Choose the top number of rows to make up your random sample.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish