5/19/22, 10:57 AM 5 Ways to Create Random Numbers in Google Sheets | Ok Sheets

5 Ways to Create Random

Numbers in Google Sheets

Do you need to generate random numbers in Google Sheets?

They can be a great way to create sample data or they might even be essential
to some statistical methods.

The good news is, there are several easy ways to generate random numbers in
Google Sheets.

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1. RAND function x
2. RANDBETWEEN function
3. RANDARRAY function
4. Apps Scripts
5. Third party Add-ons

Download Example Files

Read on to find out just how simple it is with this step-by-step guide! Make sure
you get the example workbook to follow along.

Generate Random Numbers with the RAND

Function
The first method to look at when creating random numbers is the RAND
function.

It’s a simple function whose only purpose is to create random numbers.

Syntax for the RAND Function

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RAND ( )

The RAND function takes no argument inputs and returns a random number
between 0 and 1.

Notes
The number returned will be a decimal number greater than 0 and less than 1. It
will never return 0 or 1 as a result.

Numbers that are returned follow a uniform distribution. This means that every
number between 0 and 1 is equally likely to occur in the results.

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The RAND function is volatile. This means the function will recalculate and a x
new result will be returned every time you make a change in the spreadsheet,
refresh calculations, refresh the browser, or open the spreadsheet.

Simple Example with the RAND Function

= RAND ( )

In this example, the RAND function has been entered in cell B3 and copied
down the row.

No arguments are needed and the function returns random decimal numbers
between 0 and 1.

Generate Random Numbers Between A and B with

the RAND Function
The RAND function is very useful for creating random numbers between 0 and
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✕ x

With a simple formula involving the RAND function, it is possible to generate

random numbers between any two given numbers.

= ( B - A ) * RAND ( ) + B

The above formula will generate a random decimal number between A and B,
where A and B are any two numbers such that A is less than B.

Since RAND will generate a uniform random distribution across 0 and 1, this
formula will generate a uniform distribution across A and B.

This is a great way to extend the capabilities of the RAND function!

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= 20 * RAND ( ) - 10

In the example above you can see a set of random numbers generated between
-10 and 10.

Generate Random Numbers with the

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Another function that will generate random numbers is the RANDARRAY x

function.

The RANDARRAY function is nearly the exact same as the RAND function but
has one key difference.

While the RAND function returns a single random number, the RANDARRAY
function can be used to return an array of random numbers.

Syntaxt for the RANDARRAY Function

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The RANDARRAY function will return an array of random values. Each value in x
the returned array will be between 0 and 1.

= RANDARRAY ( rows, columns )

rows is the number of rows in the returned array.

columns is the number of columns in the returned array.

Notes
If you omit the row and column index arguments from the RANDARRAY
function, they will default to 1.

RANDARRAY is a volatile function and will recalculate and return a new array of
values any time the spreadsheet is changed.

The values returned will follow a uniform distribution over 0 and 1, where any
single value is equally likely to occur.

Simple Example with the RAND Function

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= RANDARRAY ( 4, 3 )

In this example, an array of 4 rows and 3 columns is produced. Each of the 12

resulting cells contains a random number between 0 and 1.

Generate Random Numbers Between A and B with

the RANDARRAY Function
The RANDARRAY function is limited like the RAND function and only allows you
to return numbers between 0 and 1.

This can also be extended with a simple formula in order to generate an array of
random numbers between any two given numbers A and B.

= ARRAYFORMULA( ( B - A ) * RANDARRAY ( N, M ) + B )

The above formula will generate an array of random numbers between A and B
with N rows and M columns.
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✕ x

Since the RANDARRAY function is uniformly distributed across 0 and 1, the

formula above will produce uniformly distributed random numbers across N and
M.

= ARRAYFORMULA( 15 * RANDARRAY ( 4, 3 ) + 5 )

For example, the above formula will produce an array of 4 rows and 3 columns.
Each of the numbers in the resulting array will be a random number between -10
and 5.

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So far, you have seen a way to generate decimal random numbers using x
functions.

There is also a function to generate random integer numbers.

Syntaxt for the RANDBETWEEN Function

The RANDBETWEEN function allows you to generate a random integer

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= RANDBETWEEN ( minimum, maximum )

minimum is the lower bound of the random number to return.

maximum is the upper bound of the random number to return.

Notes
The RANDBETWEEN function can return values equal to the minimum or
maximum.

The RANDBETWEEN function returns random values that are uniformly

distributed, so any single number between the upper and lower bounds is
equally likely to be returned.

The RANDBETWEEN function is volatile and will recaculate and return new
values when you edit your spreadsheet.

Simple Example with the RANDBETWEEN

Function

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= RANDBETWEEN ( -10, 5 )

In this example, a single random integer value between -10 and 5 is returned.

Generate Random Numbers with Apps

Scripts
Another interesting way to generate random numbers is by using Apps Scripts!

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Check out this beginner’s guide to Apps Scripts for the complete run-down on x
how to use this tool.

Apps Scripts use the JavaScript programming language so you can leverage
various JavaScript functions such as Math.random() to create a set of random
numbers.

This is great if you want to create a set of static random numbers that don’t
change when you update your workbook. The previous methods all used volatile
functions that recalculate every time you update your workbook.

Go to the Tools menu and select the Script editor option to open the script
editor.

Paste the below code into the script editor and save the script.

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function fillRandom() {
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSheet();
var range = sheet.getActiveRange();
for (var col = 1; col <= range.getWidth(); col++) {
for (var row = 1; row <= range.getHeight(); row++) {
range.getCell(row, col).setValue(Math.random());
}
}
};

function onOpen() {
var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
var entries = [{
name : "Fill",
functionName : "fillRandom"
}];
sheet.addMenu("Random", entries);
};
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The above code has two function. x

fillRandom will fill each cell in the active range with a randomly generated
number using the Math.random() function.
onOpen will create a new menu in the UI which will allow you to run the
fillRandom function.

The output will be similar to the RANDARRAY function, as it produces uniformly

distributed decimal numbers between 0 and 1.

The random numbers inserted into the workbook are values and not formulas
though, so won’t change when you edit your workbook.

You can then run this script from the menu.

1. Select a range of cells which you want to fill with random values.
2. Go to the Random menu.
3. Click on Fill.

This will run the script. The first time it runs you will need to give it the required
permission to run.

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The selected range will then get filled with random numbers between 0 and 1.
These are values and not formulas, so they will remain unchanged when you
edit your spreadsheet.

Generate Random Numbers with an Add-On

The last method for creating random numbers is to use an add-on.

Add-ons are third-party software that can extend the features available in
Google Sheets.

There is even an add-in by Ablebits that is specifically for generating random

numbers and it comes with many more options than the methods mentioned
above.
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Generate integer or decimal random numbers with lower and upper bounds.
Generate unique values without repeats.
Genrate random dates.
Generate values from a custom list like a set of products from your company.
Generate random text strings for passwords.

To install this add-on follow these steps.

Go to the Add-ons menu and click on Get add-ons from the options.

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Search for Random Generator in the search bar and choose the Random
Generator add-on by Ablebits from the resulting search options.

Click on Individual install to install the add-on.

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1. Go to the Add-ons menu.

2. Select Random Generator from the options.
3. Select Start from the submenu.

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This will open up the Random Generator menu on the right side of the screen
where you’ll find many options for generating random integers, decimals,
Booleans, dates, custom list values, and strings.

Choose your desired options and click on the Generate button. It’s that easy to
generate many different types of random output.

Conclusions
Google Sheets has many options for generating random numbers.
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Google provides three functions for random numbers. The RAND, x

RANDARRAY, and RANDBETWEEN functions can all produce uniformly
distributed random numbers.

If you’re looking to produce a set of static random numbers, you can also use
Apps Scripts to fill a range with random numbers which won’t change.

You can even install an add-in for many more options to generate random
numbers.

Hopefully, this post helps you with your random number needs. Let me know in
the comments below!

About the Author

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John MacDougall
John is a Microsoft MVP and freelance consultant and trainer specializing in
Excel, Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps, and SharePoint. You can find
other interesting articles from John on his blog or YouTube channel.

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