Excel: Generating a Random Number Between Two Values

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
Article ID: Q49282

SUMMARY

RAND() generates a new random number between 0 and 1 (exclusive) every time the sheet is recalculated.

To generate a random decimal number between two given values, use RAND() in the following formula:

   =(endnum-beginnum)*RAND()+beginnum

To generate a random integer between two given integers, include the above formula in an INT() statement, as follows

   =INT((endnum-beginnum+1)*RAND())+beginnum

where beginnum is the smallest and endnum is the largest random numbers you want returned. Note that for generating numbers between 0 (zero) and a given number, the formulas simplify to the following:

   =endnum*RAND()           For decimal numbers between zero and endnum
   =INT((endnum+1)*RAND())  For integers between zero and endnum

KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:
Additional reference words: 1.04 1.06 1.50 2.20 3.00

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 2, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.