RAND and RANDBETWEEN

RAND() returns a random decimal between 0 and 1; RANDBETWEEN(low, high) a random whole number in a range. They are handy for sample data, simulations and shuffling a list.

They are volatile: every time the sheet recalculates they give new numbers. To keep a set, copy the cells and Paste Special as values. Press Run on the example a few times and the numbers change.

Exampleexcel

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Quick check

What happens to RAND() each time the sheet recalculates?

It gives a new numberIt keeps the old numberIt becomes zero

Your turn: write the code

RAND() is always below 1. Use ROUNDDOWN(RAND(),0) in A1 (the result is always the same).

Finish the quick check (and any code exercise) to complete this lesson, or mark it done yourself.

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