Excel RAND Function
Summary
The Excel RAND function returns a random number between 0 and 1. For example, =RAND() will generate a number like 0.422245717. RAND recalculates when a worksheet is opened or changed.
Purpose
Get a random number between 0 and 1
Return value
A number between 1 and 0
Syntax
=RAND ()
Arguments
Usage notes
- RAND calculates a new value each time the worksheet is calculated. To stop random numbers from being updated, copy the cells that contain RAND to the clipboard, then use Paste Special > Values to convert to text.
- To get a random number that doesn't change when the worksheet is calculated, enter =RAND() in the formulas bar and then press F9 to convert the formula into its result.
- To generate a set of random numbers in multiple cells, select the cells, enter RAND() and press control + enter.
- To generate a random number between a and b, use this formula: RAND() * (b - a) + a
RAND formula examples
To generated a random number, weighted with a given probability, you can use a helper table together with a formula based on the RAND and MATCH functions.
In the example shown, the formula in F5 is:
=MATCH(RAND(),D$5...
To generate random times in at specific intervals you can use the RAND function with the FLOOR function. In the example shown, the formula in B6 is:
=FLOOR(RAND(),"0:15")
which generates a random time at a...
To randomly assign people to groups or teams of a specific size, you can use a helper column with a value generated by the RAND function, together with a formula based on the RANK and ROUNDUP functions. In the example...
Related videos
In this video, we'll look at a few ways to generate random values with the RANDBETWEEN function, including random dates, random prices, and random workdays.
In this video, we’ll look at how to perform a random sort with the SORTBY function, with help from the RANDARRAY function.
In this video, we look at how to simulate a random drawing to pick winners in a contest with Excel, using the RAND and RANK functions together.
Related functions
