How to Generate a Random Number Using a Computer

Hosting a drawing or contest and need to select a random winner?

Rolling dice, flipping coins, drawing cards or straws, drawing slips of paper out of a hat. All methods to generate random results. Here's one more:

@randbetween

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Computer, A spreadsheet program, like Excel or Quattro Pro

1. 
    

   To Create a Random Number:
   
   In a blank cell of any spreadsheet program, type
   
   @randbetween(x,y)
   
   where "x" equals the smallest number you want to use and "y" equals the largest.
   
   For example, typing:
   
   @randbetween(1,100)
   
   will generate a number between 1 and 100.

2. To Recalculate: Press the "F9" key to generate a new number.

3. Change a Random Number to a Value: Note that ANY time you make a change to ANY cell in your spreadsheet, the program recalculates ALL the formulas on the sheet.
   
   That means the random number will recalculate every time a change is made to the spreadsheet. If you want to make your random value permanent, move to the cell with your @RANDBETWEEN function and press F2 (EDIT), then F9 (CALC).

4. Compatibility: This formula will work in Excel, Quattro Pro and Lotus 123. Have a different spreadsheet program? Give it a shot.

Tips & Warnings

• Microsoft Purists: Some of you may be thinking that Excel formulas begin with an equal sign, so the formula should be: "=randbetween(1,100)" True enough. Go ahead. But old time spreadsheet users, like me, know that spreadsheet formulas originally began with "@" and we also know that formulas beginning with an equal sign won't work in Quattro Pro and Lotus. Because Microsoft is special.

Resources

• Read more from Julie Stiles Mills
• More Computer Tips!