How to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups: 5 Suitable Ways

Method 1 – Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell and copy the following formula into it.
=RAND()

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Enter, you will find the following number.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Fill Handle the formula to copy down from C5 to C10.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Go to the Formula tab in your toolbar.
  • Select the Calculation option.
  • Select the manual option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Select the Home tab and go to the Editing option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Select the Sort and Filter option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • A pop-up window will appear. Select the Sort Largest to Smallest option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Select the Expand the Selection option and select the Sort button.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Excel will sort the Names like the following picture.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

This is how the randomization of a list can happen.


Method 2 – Implementing Excel RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Copy down the following formula in the selected cell.
=RANDBETWEEN(1,6)

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • After pressing Enter, Excel will show the following result.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Copy down the formula to the C10 cell.
  • You will get random numbers like the picture given below.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • To stop the automatic changing of the numbers, go to the Formulas tab and select the Calculation Options.
  • Select the Manual option.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Go to the Home tab and select the Editing option.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Select the Sort & Filter option.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Select the Sort Largest to Smallest option.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Meanwhile, the following window will appear. Select the Expand the selection option and then press the Sort button.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • As a result, Excel will show the following sorted result.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

This is how you can use the RANDBETWEEN function to randomize Excel lists.


Method 3 – Combine RANDARRAY, SORTBY, and ROWS Functions

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell.

  • Copy the following formula in the selected cell.
=SORTBY(B5:B10,RANDARRAY(ROWS(B5:B10)))
  • ROWS(B5:B10): Returns the row numbers of the array.
  • RANDARRAY(ROWS(B5:B10): Returns an Array according to the ROWS
  • SORTBY(B5:B10, RANDARRAY(ROWS(B5:B10))): Returns the newly sorted names and spills the names throughout the whole column.

  • Pressing Enter, Excel will show the following result.


Method 4 – Using INDEX and RANDBETWEEN Functions

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell first.

  • Write down the following formula in the selected cell.
=INDEX($B$5:$B$10,RANDBETWEEN(1,6),1)
  • RANDBETWEEN(1,6): Returns a random number in a cell between 1 to 6.
  • INDEX($B$5:$B$10, RANDBETWEEN(1,6),1): Returns randomly sorted names in a certain cell.

  • The following result will be shown.

  • Excel will show the following result.

We can randomize a list in Excel using the INDEX and RANDBETWEEN Functions.


Method 5 – Applying CHOOSE and RANDBETWEEN Functions

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell first.

  • Write down the following formula in the selected cell.
=CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,6),$B$5,$B$6,$B$7,$B$8,$B$9,$B$10)
  • CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,6),$B$5,$B$6,$B$7,$B$8,$B$9,$B$10): Returns the shuffled names in the C column.

  • After pressing Enter, the following result will be shown.
  • Copy down the formula from C5 to C10

  • The following result will be found.

This is the procedure how to randomize a list in Excel into groups.


Things to Remember

  • You should bear in mind that the SORTBY function can only be found in Excel 365.

Download Practice Workbook


<< Go Back to Randomize in Excel | Learn Excel

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!
Souptik Roy
Souptik Roy

Souptik Roy, a BSc graduate in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, dedicated 1.5 years to the ExcelDemy project. During this time, he authored 50+ articles and reviewed 20+ for ExcelDemy. Presently, he is a designer and content developer at YouHaveGotThisMath and Brainor, sister concerns of ExcelDemy. His educational content spans science, mathematics, and grammar. Roy's interests include developing creative ideas, visualizing concepts with tools like Adobe Illustrator, and problem-solving within Microsoft... Read Full Bio

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

Leave a reply

Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions PDF

 

 

ExcelDemy
Logo