command Button to randomly pick from list of names

[jamiegfinch]

Hi. I am trying to create a quiz for myself for studying a foreign language. and I am trying to create a command button, so that when clicked, it will randomly pick from a list of names (located in another sheet) and place the name in a desired cell. Unfortunately I don't understand excel or VBA that well. Can anyone point me in the right direction as to how to do this?

[alansidman]

Here is one way to do it.

Put your Names in column A of your spreadsheet
In cell B1 type =rand() and copy it down so that this formula is in every cell in column B for which there is a name in column A.

Insert this code in your VBA editor

Option Explicit

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How to install your new code

1. Copy the Excel VBA code
2. Select the workbook in which you want to store the Excel VBA code
3. Press Alt+F11 to open the Visual Basic Editor
4. Choose Insert > Module
5. Edit > Paste the macro into the module that appeared
6. Close the VBEditor
7. Save your workbook (Excel 2007+ select a macro-enabled file format, like *.xlsm)

To run the Excel VBA code:

1. Press Alt-F8 to open the macro list
2. Select a macro in the list
3. Click the Run button

[jamiegfinch]

Thanks heaps for your quick reply Alan. However, when I push Alt + F8 to bring up the macro list. There isn't anything in it. Have I gone wrong somewhere?

[alansidman]

Did you install the macro according to my instructions. Must be in a module and not in a worksheet.

[martindwilson]

another

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[jamiegfinch]

Sorry, I don't know what I did before. But it's working now. But that wasn't what I had in mind. What I'm trying to achieve is:- If I click on the developer tab, and under the Insert tab I click the command button (ActiveX control). And lets just say that I place the command button in cell D4. What I would like to happen, is that when I click that button. It will pick one of those names in the list at random and place it into cell D2. Does that make sense? The spreadsheet is actually a lot more complex than this, but this is one area where I'm stuck. Is there a way for me to post the spreadsheet?

[martindwilson]

try

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change the sheets a to the names you actually have

[jamiegfinch]

I'm terribly sorry for my lack of understanding in this manner. But are you saying to change the words "A" to the names of the sheets or "sheet1" and "sheet2" to the names of the sheets I have?
If for example, I have labelled the 1st sheet "Data A" and the 2nd sheet "Data B". And In the "Data B" sheet I have the list of names in A1 to A10. In the "Data A" sheet is where I will have the command button with the random result to appear in cell D2. How will I word the coding?

[martindwilson]

it would look like this

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[jamiegfinch]

Mate! Brilliant. Works like a charm. Thanks heaps!