Generating Random Numbers

Excel's Random Number function can be very useful if you are conducting an audit and want to select a sample.

RandBetween returns a random number between the numbers you specify. A new random number is generated every time the worksheet is calculated.

The syntax is: =Randbetween (bottom, top)

For example =RANDBETWEEN (1,10) will randomly generate a value between 1 and 10. If you copy it down a column, a number will be randomly generated for each cell.

The good news is that the function is readily available in Excel 2007 however if you are using Excel 2003 than you will need to run the Setup program to install the Analysis ToolPak. After you install the Analysis ToolPak, you must enable it by using the Add-Ins command on the Tools menu.


 
If you need to make the numbers static after they have been generated, use Copy>Paste Special Values.