How to use the Excel RANDARRAY function

Summary

The Excel RANDARRAY function generates an array of random numbers between. The size or the array is is specified by rows and columns arguments. Generated values can be either decimals or whole numbers.

Purpose

Get array of random numbers

Return value

Array of random values

Syntax

=RANDARRAY ([rows], [columns], [min], [max], [integer])

Arguments

rows - [optional] Number of rows to return. Default = 1.
columns - [optional] Number of columns to return. Default = 1.
min - [optional] Minimum value to return. Default = 0.
max - [optional] Maximum value to return. Default = 1.
integer - [optional] Return whole numbers. Boolean, TRUE or FALSE. Default = FALSE.

Usage notes

The RANDARRAY function is a "Dynamic array function". RANDARRAY returns an array of random numbers between 0 and 1. The size or the array is determined by supplied rows and columns arguments. The values generated by RANDARRAY can be either decimal values or whole numbers. When RANDARRAY returns multiple results in a worksheet, results will spill into adjacent cells.

Example #1

In the example shown, RANDARRAY is used to generate 50 values in a range10 rows by 5 columns. The formula in B4 is:

=RANDARRAY(10,5)

Example #2

To return a random array of integers, 5 rows by 2 columns, between 1 and 10, you can use a formula like this:

=RANDARRAY(5,2,1,10,TRUE)

RANDARRAY is a new function available in Excel 365 only.

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The Excel SORTBY function sorts the contents of a range or array based on the values from another range or array. The range or array used to sort does not need to appear in results.

Excel RANDARRAY Function

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