How to Generate Random Numbers in Excel (4 Unique Methods)

Random numbers are those numbers that are generated by a process in which the outcome is not predictable and in a defined interval/set, the values are uniformly distributed. Random numbers are used in statistical sampling, computer simulations, data encryption, lottery, and in the areas where unpredictable results are desired. In this article, we will see many processes on how to generate random numbers in Excel. We will also see the procedures for generating letters, words, dates, and times also.

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4 Ways to Generate Random Numbers in Excel

In this section, we are going to explore 4 unique ways to generate random numbers in Excel. I will demonstrate them here one by one. Let’s check them out!

1. Using RAND Function

The RAND function is used to generate random numbers. If we use it directly it generates random numbers between zero and one.

Whenever you edit your worksheet, new numbers are generated in the area where RAND functions are placed. The reason for this is that the RAND function is a volatile function. It doesn`t have any arguments.

1.1. RAND Function with Default Range

Normally the RAND function generates random numbers which are between 0 and 1.

Let’s say, we have a dataset of some persons participating in a lottery. We need to create some random numbers for these participants. Let’s create random numbers with this function.

Steps:

• First of all, select a cell and type the following formula in the cell.

• Now, press ENTER and the cell will return you a random number.
• Now, drag the Fill Handle tool to the other cells to Autofill the formula to the cells downward.

• Here, all the cells will show you the results.

The above procedure shows the primary use of the RAND function where many random numbers are generated.

1.2. RAND Function with a Customized Range

Normally the RAND function generates random numbers which are between 0 and 1. But if you want to produce random numbers between two values you need to modify the RAND function.

1.2.1. Specifying Upper Limit

In this way, you can produce random numbers from 0 to N where N is the upper limit in this case. You just need to multiply the RAND function by N.

Let’s say we want to generate some random numbers from 0 to 25. We will multiply 25 with the RAND function. It will produce random numbers in a sequence that are greater than/equal to 0 but less than 25.

1.2.2. Random Numbers Between Two Numbers

The previous example shows us the random numbers which are between 0 and any value N. A question might arise “How can we create random numbers between two values that don’t start with zero?” Well, we can use a formula to execute that which is,

Where Y is the highest value and X is the lowest value in the range.

The following picture shows an example of generating arbitrary numbers between 100 and 50.

Note: This formula never returns a number that is the largest in a specific range.

1.2.3. Random Integer with Specified Upper Limit

To create random integer numbers in Excel we can use the above two formulas wrapped in the INT function.

For creating random integers which are between 0 & 25, we can use the formula

1.2.4. Random Integer with Changed Range

For creating arbitrary integers between 100 and 50, we can use the formula

2. Use of RANDBETWEEN Function to Generate Random Numbers

In the previous examples, we create random numbers between two numbers with the RAND function. But it is more useful to use the RANDBETWEEN function in this case. RANDBETWEEN function returns a random number that is between a bottom and top range. Like the RAND function, the RANDBETWEEN is also a volatile function and it will generate new random numbers whenever you edit your worksheet.

2.1. Random Integer with RANDBETWEEN Function

The interesting thing about using the RANDBETWEEN function is that generally, it will produce Integer random numbers whenever you are using it. Even with the decimal range, it will always generate integer random numbers.

For instance, if you want to create random integers between 15 and 30, the following formula can be used.

The following picture shows us the result of this example. You can see that all the outputs are between 15 and 30.

2.2. Random Numbers with Decimal Places

As stated before, the RANDBETWEEN function is designed to produce random integer numbers in Excel, but by some little modification, it can also be used to generate random decimal numbers.

Let’s work with the previous example where we got random integer numbers from 15 to 30. Here instead of getting the integer numbers if we want to get the decimal numbers, the modification of the formula will be:

The above picture shows us the numbers with 1 decimal place. If we want to get random numbers with 2 decimal places the formula will be

3. Generate Unique Random Numbers (with No Duplicates/Repeats)

Generating random numbers is easy but when it comes to generating unique random numbers the task is complicated. There are so many methods that we can perform. In this section, we will demonstrate some of the methods available for generating unique random numbers.

3.1. Sorting a List of Unique Numbers in Random Order

In this method, we will create a list of numbers in serial order. Then again in another column, we will use the RAND function. The two columns, then, will be filtered and we will see that the 1^st column where the numbers are in serial order will be distributed randomly. As the numbers that we provided are not repeated here, we will find a list of unique numbers in a column.

• First, make two columns titled Number and Random. The number, column creates a series of 15 numbers in serial order starting from 1. To do this, go to the Home tab> click on the Fill option from the Editing group.

• A box named Series will come up, select columns there. Write 1 as the Step value and 15 as the Stop value. Then press OK.

• In the Random column create a list of arbitrary numbers. Make sure to create the column in the same range as the first column.

• After that, click on the Sort & Filter option and click on Filter

• In the Random column click any two options: Sort Smallest to Largest/Largest to Smallest.

• You will see, by doing the sorting the numbers in the 1^st columns will change their places randomly from one cell to another

3.2. Ranking Random Numbers

For ranking the random numbers in a list, we will use the RANK function.

• 1^st create some random numbers in a column.
• In cell C5, type the formula and drag this formula to cell C20.

Here,

• B5 = number
• B$5:B$20 = reference

You will see that 20 unique random numbers will be generated in column B.

3.3. Using Largest Values and MATCH Function

Here, we will use the MATCH, ROW, and LARGE functions.

• 1^st create some random numbers (i.e. 10 random numbers) in column A.
• In cell C5, write the formula

• Finally, drag the formula from C5 to C14. It will return unique random numbers from 1 to 10

3.4. Using RANK and INDEX Functions

In this section, we will see the use of RANK and INDEX functions.

• 1st create a list of arbitrary numbers, let’s say create 10 random numbers in column A.
• In column B, create 10 Random numbers.
• Use the formula in cell D5 and drag it down to cell D14.

• You will see 10 unique random numbers will appear in column D

4. Generate Random Numbers Using Excel VBA

Generating unique random numbers is more efficient in VBA code than using different functions of Excel. In Excel, there are so many VBA codes available to generate numbers that can be unique or repeated. In this example, I generate 10 arbitrary numbers using VBA code. The code is given below.

Code:

Public Sub GeneratingRandNum()

    lowerlimit = 1

    upperlimit = 15

    Set randrange = Range("B3:B17")

    randrange.Clear

    For Each sm_rng1 In randrange

        Number = Number + 1

    Next

    If Number > upperlimit - lowerlimit + 1 Then

        MsgBox ("Cell's Number > Count of Unique Random Numbers")

        Exit Sub

    End If

    For Each sm_Rng In randrange

        randnum = Int((upperlimit - lowerlimit + 1) * Rnd + lowerlimit)

        Do While Application.WorksheetFunction.CountIf(randrange, randnum) >= 1

            randnum = Int((upperlimit - lowerlimit + 1) * Rnd + lowerlimit)

        Loop

        sm_Rng.Value = randnum

    Next

End Sub

To use this code, follow the following steps.

• Click on the Developer tab
• From the Code group, select Visual Basic
• Enter the above code in the worksheet module and run it.

You will see that 15 numbers from 1-15 appear in column B. The below picture shows the result of the above code.

Generate Random Letter in Excel 

To produce random letters in Excel a combination of three different functions are required. Let’s say we want to create random letters from A to Z. We will use the formula stated below:

In the above formula:

• Firstly, numeric ASCII codes for the specified letters are returned by the CODE function.
• The numbers returned by the CODE function are taken by the RANDBETWEEN function as the upper and lower values of the range.
• Finally, corresponding letters are converted by the CHAR function (CHAR converts random ASCII codes  returned by RANDBETWEEN)

Generate Random Dates in Excel

To produce some arbitrary dates between two dates, we can use the RANDBETWEEN function with the DATEVALUE function. Here in this example, we will generate some dates between 1st March 2022 to 17th March 2022. The Formula is given below.

Generate Random Time in Excel

The procedure of generating arbitrary times between two times is the same as above. The formula can be given as follow by using the TIMEVALUE function.

So, here in this example, we will use,

The same thing can be gotten with the TIME function and for this, the formula will be,

Generating Random Dates & Times together

In order to generate random dates and times together, we need to combine RANDBETWEEN, DATEVALUE, and TIMEVALUE functions together. Here we used the following formula to create dates and times together in a range.

Where the start and end dates are 1-Mar-2022 & 17-Mar-2022 respectively. The start and end times are 8:00 AM & 8:00 PM respectively.

Conclusion

Random numbers are useful in so many ways. As we can see there are so many methods of generating random numbers. I hope this article may help you. If you have any better methods or any queries, please feel free to comment. Thanks for keeping in touch.

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