How to evenly distribute surname initials into 10 groups.

[TildesleyH]

Hello!

I'm hoping that someone here knows of a way to evenly spread these values into 10 groups of approximately 10% each.

Each letter must appear after the other in the order of the alphabet, and can not be divided between groups.

I am able to do this manually but would be very grateful if someone were able to inform me (or attach an example) on how to do this
using excel, as this could be useful with larger sets of data. My excel skills are sadly basic.

I have attached an excel sheet with what I am attempting to accomplish.

Kind Regards,

TildesleyH

a 3.75%
b 8.96%
c 6.38%
d 5.65%
e 2.03%
f 3.63%
g 5.34%
h 5.59%
i 0.76%
j 1.36%
k 5.70%
l 5.24%
m 8.28%
n 2.13%
o 1.63%
p 5.27%
q 0.26%
r 4.80%
s 10.93%
t 3.88%
u 0.47%
v 2.55%
w 3.46%
x 0.02%
y 0.65%
z 1.29%

[AliGW]

Welcome to the forum.

Will you please attach a sample Excel workbook? We are not able to work with or manipulate a picture of one and nobody wants to have to recreate your data from scratch.

1. Make sure that your sample data are REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired results are also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential data is removed or replaced with dummy data first (e.g. names, addresses, E-mails, etc.).

4. Try to avoid using merged cells as they cause lots of problems.

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment, so to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.

Please pay particular attention to point 2 (above): without an idea of your intended outcomes, it is often very difficult to offer appropriate advice.

[TildesleyH]

Thank you for your prompt response AliGW. I have made the requested changes.

[JeteMc]

If I understand:
1. Insert a new column (C) and populate C3:C28 using: =IF(C2<A$1,SUM(C2,B3),B3)
2. Manually place the number 1 in cell D3
3. Populate D4:D28 using: =IF(C4<C3,SUM(D3,1),D3)
4. Manually place the number 0.1 in cell A1
5. Using the Goal Seek feature found on the Data tab ribbon under the What If Analysis icon
6. Set cell: D28
7. To value: 10
8. By changing cell: A1
9. Select OK
In the sample file Goal Seek set the value of A1 to 0.068, most of the groups are the same as the original with the noted exceptions of groups 9 (6.9%) and 10 (5.42%)
Let us know if you have any questions.

[TildesleyH]

Thank you very much! That is exactly what I was after!

[AliGW]

If that takes care of your original question, please select Thread Tools from the menu link above and mark this thread as SOLVED. Thanks.

[JeteMc]

You're Welcome and thank you for the feedback. I hope that you have a blessed day.