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

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In this article, I will show you how to randomize a list in Excel into groups. While working on an Excel worksheet, you need to do a massive type of work. Sometimes you may need to rank any dataset randomly. In this article, I will show you how to randomize a list in Excel properly. I hope this article will increase your excel skill. However, follow the procedures step-by-step. I have added pictures for your better understanding.


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5 Effective Ways to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

You can see the dataset I have used in this article in the following picture. The dataset has two columns called B and C. The dataset has the values called Student Id, and Name of students of a certain school. I will use this dataset to show how to randomize a list in Excel into groups. Follow the steps of every method one by one.

dataset of how to randomize a list in excel into groups


1. Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

In this method, you will know the randomization method of a list using the RAND function. The process is simple. Follow the procedures one by one. Hopefully, you will find interest in this method. I have made a slight change in the dataset. I am considering only the name column and added a new column called Random Rank here. However, follow the steps carefully.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

Steps:

  • First, select the C5 cell and copy the following formula into it.
=RAND()

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • After pressing Enter, you will find the following number.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

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

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Then, go to the Formula tab in your toolbar.
  • After that, select the Calculation option.
  • Hence, select the manual option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Then, select the Home tab and go to the Editing option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Then, select the Sort and Filter option.

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Meanwhile, a pop-up window will appear. Select the Sort Largest to Smallest

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • Then, like the following window, select the Expand the Selection option and select the Sort

Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups Using RAND Function

  • As a result, 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.

Read More: How to Randomize List of Names in Excel (8 Easy Methods)


2. Implementing Excel RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List

In this portion of this article, I will implement the RANDBETWEEN function to randomize a list in Excel. This is another short method. I hope this will increase your Excel skill. Follow the procedure step by step.

Steps:

  • First, select the C5 cell.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Then, 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

  • Then, copy down the formula to the C10
  • Hence, you will get random numbers like the picture given below.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

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

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Then, go to the Home tab and select the Editing

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • After that, select the Sort & Filter option.

Implement RANDBETWEEN Function to Randomize a List in Excel Into Groups

  • Hence, 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 a list in Excel.

Read More: How to Randomize a List in Excel Without Duplicates (4 Ways)


3. Combine RANDARRAY, SORTBY, and ROWS Functions

In this part of this article, I will Combine RANDARRAY, SORTBY, and ROWS Functions. This method is not as easy as the former two methods. Follow the method step by step given below.

Steps:

  • First, select the C5 cell.

  • Then, copy the following formula in the selected cell.
=SORTBY(B5:B10,RANDARRAY(ROWS(B5:B10)))

Here,

  • 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.

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

Read More: How to Shuffle an Array Using Excel VBA (4 Examples)


4. Using INDEX and RANDBETWEEN Functions

In this part of this article, I will use INDEX and RANDBETWEEN functions to randomize a list in Excel into groups. Follow the following steps to randomize the list.

Steps:

  • Select the C5 cell first.

  • Then, write down the following formula in the selected cell.
=INDEX($B$5:$B$10,RANDBETWEEN(1,6),1)

Here,

  • 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.

  • After pressing Enter, the following result will be shown.

  • After copying down the formula, Excel will show the following result.

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

Read More: How to Shuffle Numbers in Excel (7 Easy Methods)


5. Applying CHOOSE and RANDBETWEEN Functions

In this method, I will apply CHOOSE and RANDBETWEEN functions to randomize a list in Excel into groups. Follow the following steps.

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)

Here,

  • CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,6),$B$5,$B$6,$B$7,$B$8,$B$9,$B$10): Returns the shuffled names in the column.

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

  • Hence, the following result will be found.

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

Read More: How to Shuffle Data in Excel (7 Simple Methods)


Things to Remember

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

Conclusion

In this article, I have tried to explain how to randomize a list in Excel into groups. I hope, you have learned something new from this article. Now, extend your skill by following the steps of these methods. You will find such interesting blogs on our website ExcelDemy.com. I hope you have enjoyed the whole tutorial. If you have any queries, feel free to ask me in the comment section. Don’t forget to give us your feedback.


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Souptik Roy
Souptik Roy

Hello there. This is Souptik Roy. I graduated from Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering department. I am trying to explore the world of Microsoft Excel and want to increase my analytical power apart from my Engineering degree, as I have a curious mind. this is why I am trying to learn Excel Operations and write articles to help others.

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