How To Enter (Insert Or Put) Random Numbers (Use The RAND Function) In Excel Explained
In this video we discuss how to enter or put random numbers in excel, using the RAND and RANDBETWEEN functions. We go through several examples of the different ways to use the functions.
Transcript/notes
Let’s say that you want excel to put a random number in a cell, such as in this worksheet, in cell A2. We are going to use the rand function. To do this, left click on cell A2, so it is highlighted. Next, type in an equals sign, then type in ran, and in the drop down box, left double click on the top option, rand. From here, type in a closed parenthesis to close off the function and then hit the enter key.
And a random number has been entered into the cell. A couple of notes, when you use this version of the rand function, the random number will be greater than or equal to 0 and less than 1. To get a random number that is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 100, as you see here in cell B2, you multiply the rand function times 100, then hit the enter key, and a random number has been entered into cell B2.
And if you want a random whole number that is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 100, for instance in cell C2, start by typing in an equals sign, then type in int, and in the drop down box, left double click on the first option, INT. From here, type in ran, and in the drop down box, left double click on the top option, rand.
From here, type in a closed parenthesis to close off the rand function and then type in a multiplication sign, then type in 100, and then type in a closed parenthesis to close off the INT function. Then hit the enter key, and we have a random whole number less than 100 in cell C2.
One important thing to take note of. I am going to highlight the cells and use the fill handle to drag down and fill in some more rows in each of the columns, as you see here. If I put any other entries in the worksheet, as you see I’m doing here, the random numbers in the 3 columns keep re-calculating, this is how the rand function works.
To permanently enter these random numbers into the worksheet we are going to left click, hold and drag to highlight all of the cells with the random numbers. From here, hit control C, which is the shortcut for copy. Then right click anywhere in the highlighted cells and a pop box appears. Next, under paste options, left click on the paste 123 icon, which is paste values. Now, if I left click on any of the random number cells, as you see here, the rand function is gone and the cell now contains a permanent random number.
If you just want a single cell to have a permanent random number, such as here in cell D2, type in the rand function like before, but rather than hit the enter key, hit the F9 key, and as you see, cell D2 now contains a permanent random number.
One last thing to mention. If you want to get a random whole number between 2 specific values, such as here in column D, you can use the RANDBETWEEN function. I am going to left click on cell D2, then type in an equals sign, then, as before type in Ran. In the drop down box, left double click on RANDBETWEEN. Next, you type in the lower limit number you want, in this case 30, then type in a comma. From here, type in the upper limit number you want, in this case 105. Then type in a closed parenthesis and hit the enter key, and we have a random number between 30 and 105.
As before, these are not permanent random numbers, as you see, these numbers keep re-calculating as other entries are made. Again, to make these permanent randoms, highlight the numbers, hit control C, then right click in the highlighted cells, and left click on paste values. And now these are permanent.
Chapters/Timestamps
0:00 How to enter a random number in excel
0:37 How to enter a random number between 0 and 100 in excel
0:54 How to enter a random whole number between 0 and 100 in excel
1:39 Random numbers are not permanent
1:52 How to change random numbers to permanent random numbers
2:27 How to enter a permanent random number in excel
2:44 How to enter random whole numbers between 2 values in excel
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