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Numbers-In-Excel/ How To Create A List of Random Unique Numbers in Excel

This document provides a formula to generate a random list of unique numbers in Excel without duplicates or helper columns. The formula uses an array formula with RANDBETWEEN, IF, and INDEX functions to randomly select numbers between a specified range. It explains each step of the formula, including how it checks previously selected numbers and avoids duplicates as the formula is filled down. Customizing the formula to change the starting or ending numbers is also described.

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sakthiprime
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68 views

Numbers-In-Excel/ How To Create A List of Random Unique Numbers in Excel

This document provides a formula to generate a random list of unique numbers in Excel without duplicates or helper columns. The formula uses an array formula with RANDBETWEEN, IF, and INDEX functions to randomly select numbers between a specified range. It explains each step of the formula, including how it checks previously selected numbers and avoids duplicates as the formula is filled down. Customizing the formula to change the starting or ending numbers is also described.

Uploaded by

sakthiprime
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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http://www.get-digital-help.

com/2009/07/03/how-to-create-a-random-list-of-unique-
numbers-in-excel/
How to create a list of random unique numbers in excel
Question: How do ! create a random list of unique numbers from sa" # to #0$ without using
%&':
(enerate unique random numbers
)nique random numbers in %&'
and without enabling iterati*e calculation in excel options and not using +helper+ columns,
Answer:
Formula in cell A2:
-!./01234'552!6278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0==-0$ ;8<2:#::#0=$ ++=$
;8<2!./!;0792+#:+>3)42!6278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0==-0$ #$ 0=====$
;8)./2;'./2=?3)42!6278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0==-0$ #$ 0==$ 0=$ = @ 79;5 @
3H!69 @ 0.90; copied down to cell '#A.
UPDATE:
Alternative array formula in A2:
-5';(02;8<2:#::#0=?.89278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0===$
;'./&09<00.2#$##-;8<2'#=== @ 79;5 @ 3H!69 @ 0.90;.
7op" cell '2 and paste down as far as needed.
Explaining the alternative array formula in cell A2
Step 1 - Create an array
;8<2:#::#0= creates this arra" B#$ 2$ 3$ A$ C$ D$ 7$ E$ 9$ #0F
Step 2 - Create a criterion to avoid duplicate numbers
78).9!62$A$1:A1$ ;8<2:#::#0== maGes sure no duplicate numbers are created. 9he
formula has both absolute and relati*e cell references 2$A$1:A1=. <hen the formula are
copied down to cell '3 the cell reference changes to :':#:'2. 9he *alue in cell '2 canHt be
randoml" selected again.
!n cell '2$ 78).9!62$A$1:A1$ ;8<2:#::#0== creates this arra": B0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0$ 0=
Step 3 - Create a ne dynamic array
;8<2:#::#0=?.89278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0=== creates this arra" in cell '2: B#$
2$ 3$ A$ C$ D$ 7$ E$ 9$ #0F
!f the arra" formula randoml" selects the number 2 in cell '2$ the formula in cell '3 creates
this arra": B#$ 0$ 3$ A$ C$ D$ 7$ E$ 9$ #0F
.umber 2 canHt be selected an"more.
Step ! - Calculate the number range in "andbeteen#bottom$ top%
9he bottom *alue is alwa"s #. 9he top *alue changes depending on current cell.
!n cell '2 the top *alue is #0.
!n cell '3 the top *alue is 9
and so on..
6ormula in cell '2: ##-;8<2'#= equals #0. 2##-#-#0=
6ormula in cell '3: ##-;8<2'2= equals 9. 2##-2-9=
and so on..
Step & - Create a random number
-5';(02;8<2:#::#0=?.89278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0===$
RANDBETWEEN(111!R"W(A1##=
;'./&09<00.2#$##-;8<2'#==
becomes
;'./&09<00.2#$##-#=
becomes
;'./&09<00.2#$#0=
and returns a random number between # and #0.
Step ' - Select a random number in array
-5';(02;8<2:#::#0=?.89278).9!62:':#:'#$ ;8<2:#::#0===$
;'./&09<00.2#$##-;8<2'#===
becomes
-5';(02B#$ 2$ 3$ A$ C$ D$ 7$ E$ 9$ #0F$ ;'./&09<00.2#$#0==
becomes
-5';(02B#$ 2$ 3$ A$ C$ D$ 7$ E$ 9$ #0F$ random_number= and returns a random number
between # and #0.
How to customize array formula to your excel work sheet
!f "our list starts at 63 change :':#:'# to :6:2:62 in the abo*e arra" formula. 9o change the
numbers from # to #0 to$ for example$ 2 to #2$ change :#::#0 to :2::#2 also in the abo*e
arra" formula.
Iress 69 to generate a new random list of unique numbers.
Downloa$ e%cel sam&le 'ile 'or t(is tutorial)
uni*ue!ran$om!list!o'!num+ers)%ls
20xcel 97-2003 <orGbooG ?.xlsx=
Functions in t(is article:
,NDE-(arra"$rowJnum$KcolumnJnumL#
;eturns a *alue or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column$ in a
gi*en range
.AT/0(looGupJ*alueMlooGupJarra"M KmatchJt"peL=
;eturns the relati*e position of an item in an arra" that matches a specified *alue
,F(logicalJtestMK*alueJif:trueLMK*alueJifJfalseL#
7hecGs whether a condition is met$ and returns one *alue if 9;)0$ and another *alue if
6'530
/"UNT,F(range$criteria#
7ounts the number of cells within a range that meet the gi*en condition
1U.(number#$Knumber2L$#
'dds all the numbers in a range of cells
1.A22(arra"$G# returns the G-th smallest row number in this data set.
R"W(reference# returns the rownumber of a reference
,ND,RE/T(refJtext$Ka#L#
;eturns the reference specified b" a text string

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