How to Generate a Random Number in Excel

The "RAND" function in Microsoft Excel allows you to generate a random number in Excel in just a few minutes. By selecting the cell you want to generate a random number into, you can then use the "RAND" function to enter a random number between 0 and 1. Follow the steps below to generate a random number in your Excel spreadsheet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Microsoft Excel 2007

1. Open Microsoft Excel 2007, and start a new, blank spreadsheet or open an existing spreadsheet from your files into which you want to generate a random number.
2. Click the cell you want to generate a random number into so it is selected. The cell will have a thick black line outlining it.
3. Type "=RAND()" (no quotations) into the "Formula" text box near the top of the Excel screen. This is the function that instructs Excel to enter a random number between 0 and 1 into the selected cell.
4. Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard. The random number will be generated into the selected cell and you will be taken to the cell beneath it.
5. Continue the process of generating random numbers into your Excel cells using the same method as outlined above.

Tips & Warnings

• Save time by generating random numbers in multiple Excel cells at the same time. Select all the cells you want to generate random numbers into, type the RAND function into the "Formula" text box and press CTRL+ENTER to generate the random numbers.
• See related eHow articles to find out how you can create a random sample from the random numbers you have generated.

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