draw sample from populatin

[rooster2005]

What I want is to randomize a certain list of names, text values. The problem is similar to drawing n-samples from a certain population n. The only thing is that I dont want a certain observation to appear in my sample twice.

What i tried to do is use the solver. I let the solver change a column in which the row numbers are determined from which it should retrieve a certain name. then it checks whether that name is already in the new created list. If it already in there (so a duplicate name is created) it produces a 1. The sum of all the IF function is then used in the Solver to minimize to zero

The solver however cannot handle this problem. So my question is how to set this up properly.

see attachment for more info

[Dav]

I would not use solver

http://www.excelforum.com/showthread.php?t=611461

Regards

Dav