Using figures as values to represent specific items in a column

I have a spreadsheet and in Column C of the spreadsheet the heading is 3 seperate objects. For the sake of simplicity we will say the header is Rocks, Grass, Trees. I would like a shape to represent each thing. So a small triangle represents rocks, square represents grass and a circle for trees. How can a make this happen for the cells below the header in column C so that each column C cell is a shape and in random order from Cell C2 to Cell C2050. So C2 would be a triangle, C3 would be a circle and so on. Is this even possible. It doesnt have to be shapes but numbers will not work. I would then like to be able to run statistical analysis on the figures in the column. Any ideas on how to make this happen.

This may seem like crazy talk, but why not just use the words "Rocks", "Grass" and "Trees"? Or their initials perhaps? I should stop now before the Mods start gathering wood, some gasoline and a match...

- Moo

In reality I could and that is a good idea but can I run an analysis on the three letters and have them run in random order down the column.

Put this formula in cell C2 and fill down to C2050:

Formula:

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Then press F9 multiple times to generate random lists.

- Moo (with a helpful H/T to Paul)

Well that worked great but I am a bit suprised Excel will not allow statistical data due to the fact there are no number values. Is it possible to do it on "text" or is there a way to assign the specific word with a hidden value of say .1,.2,.3 in order to give accurate statistics of the entire column. Obviously I am new at this and I really appreciate your time in helping me out.

Well, if it needs #'s, you can just use this filled down from C2:C2050: =RANDBETWEEN(1,3)

Then just assign values to each # (1 = Rock, 2 = Grass, 3 = Tree), or whatever works best for you.

Pressing F9 after filling the formula down will again generate random results.

- Moo

Moo, thanks a lot you have been a great help. Assigning values won't really work for what I am doing, I was hoping it would but if I I was going to create a column graph using the three seperate objects it should have shown something along the line that Rocks occur 1550, Trees 400 and Grass 200 and the graph would obviously coorespond. Problem is i am comparing the three objects to a density of species within an area and need to use an ANOVA test. I cant do an ANOVA on text values, and by plugging in numerics excel looks at those numbers 1,2,3 as values but really they are not values they are just a figure to represent an object. Thanks again and if you have any ideas let me know. My brain is fried