how to select random rows?

[vc]

i have a set of data (property prices..house type etc). i need to select 40
rows randomly bt have no idea how. any help apprectiated. thanks in advance.

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi vc!

First make sure that you have record numbers that will allow you to
sort the data back into the original order
Second save your file and work on a backup until comfortable with the
result.
Third, insert a new column
In that column use:
=RAND()
Now select all the random numbers and use:
Copy > Edit > Paste Special > Values > OK
Now sort the entire table using the random number as the sort
criteria.

The top 40 will be randomly selected.


--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
not quite sure what you're trying to do?:
=RANDBETWEEN(1,100)
will return a number between 1 and 100

0INDEX(A1:A100,RANDBETWEEN(1,100))
will return a random value from column A

 

[vc]

many thanks! exactyl what i was looking for...i was trying to randomly
select 40 rows out of the whole worksheet...

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi vc!

Thanks for thanks. Always appreciated and it shows Google searchers
the way to go.

--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.