RANDBETWEEN

Microsoft Office Excel 2003

See Also

Returns a random number between the numbers you specify. A new random number is returned every time the worksheet is calculated.

If this function is not available, and returns the #NAME? error, install and load the Analysis ToolPak add-in.

ShowHow?

  1. On the Tools menu, click Add-Ins.
  2. In the Add-Ins available list, select the Analysis ToolPak box, and then click OK.
  3. If necessary, follow the instructions in the setup program.

Syntax

RANDBETWEEN(bottom,top)

Bottom    is the smallest integer RANDBETWEEN will return.

Top    is the largest integer RANDBETWEEN will return.

Example

The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank worksheet.

Show How?

  1. Create a blank workbook or worksheet.
  2. Select the example in the Help topic. Do not select the row or column headers.

    Selecting an example from Help

    Selecting an example from Help

  3. Press CTRL+C.
  4. In the worksheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
  5. To switch between viewing the results and viewing the formulas that return the results, press CTRL+` (grave accent), or on the Tools menu, point to Formula Auditing, and then click Formula Auditing Mode.
 
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Formula Description (Result)
=RANDBETWEEN(1,100) Random number between 1 and 100 (varies)
=RANDBETWEEN(-1,1) Random number between -1 and 1 (varies)