Random Name Generator

**tysterdude** · 01-29-2024, 03:16 PM

Hello, I am trying to use a list of 21 names to fill a 7x15 grid by randomly selecting a name 5 times.

The random formula I am currently using is =INDEX(A16:A36,RANDBETWEEN(1,COUNTA(A16:A36)))

This is successfully grabbing a random name from my list of names (A16:A36), however I am not sure how to limit it to only selecting it 5 times.

I could also for simplicity instead of filling the grid, create 21 rows and 5 columns, each column having its own randomized list of 21 names without duplicates and then just move them over to my grid.

The problem is I cannot get it to either stop at 5 generations (not critical). And I cannot get it to not duplicate (critical).

**MrShorty** · 01-29-2024, 03:46 PM

I would probably approach this with a "shuffle and sort" algorithm rather than use RANDBETWEEN() in an INDEX() function.

1) From your list of 21 names, create a list of 105 entries, where each name appears 5 times.
2) Assign random unique numbers to each entry in this new list (I tend to use RAND() for this. It's not guaranteed not to repeat, but, IME, it only very rarely repeats). Remember that RAND() is volatile and will recalculate with each calculate event. You may consider something to control when this list of random numbers refreshes.
3) Sort the list by the random numbers.
4) Fill the 7x15 grid by reading names from the top to the bottom.

I've left it to you to fill in the programming details at this point. Do you need help with the programming details for each step?

**Fluff13** · 01-29-2024, 03:54 PM

how about

Formula:

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