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Determining a Random Value
Summary: One of the better-known VBA functions is Rnd, which allows you to generate a random value between 0 and 1. You can use this for all sorts of purposes, as described here. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)VBA provides a function to return a random value. You wouldn't necessarily use this function by itself, but as part of a larger macro that may require the use of random values. The syntax for the function is as follows:
x = Rnd()
where x is the result. The value returned will always be between 0 and 1. To translate this to some other random value, all you need to do is multiply the result by the highest number you want to consider. For instance, if you wanted a random number between 1 and 25, you could use the following code line:
x = Int(25 * Rnd()) + 1
Since Rnd always returns a value between 0 and 1 (but never 1 itself), multiplying what it returns by 25 and then using the Int function on that result will return a number between 0 and 24. Finally, 1 is added to this result, so that x will be equal to a number between 1 and 25, inclusive.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2340) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 2000 2002 2003
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