Forum Discussion
Timyothmit3
Nov 03, 2022Copper Contributor
Excel
Hi, Is it possible in Excel to have a list of names, then assign to each name a unique random number, then sort the names based on there unique random number from (small to large)? I tried Randa...
mtarler
Nov 03, 2022Silver Contributor
The short answer is yes, but apparently not in the way you're trying. So a couple of things: randarray can't be 'sorted' using the built in sort because it is an array. you could just use =RAND() and fill down (i.e. in column A) and then do the sort (i.e. highlight the RAND in col A and the names in col B and click Sort). However, the RAND() and all the built in random functions in Excel are volatile meaning they will get re-calculated every time a change happens so after you 'sort' that random index column will not be sorted any more but at least the names in column B are 'randomized'.
As for the break-down that should be easy as you just reference those cells where you want them:
the 1st 5 from column B would be:
=Sheet1!B1:B5
then 6-10:
=Sheet1!B6:B10
As for the break-down that should be easy as you just reference those cells where you want them:
the 1st 5 from column B would be:
=Sheet1!B1:B5
then 6-10:
=Sheet1!B6:B10