Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Get Combination Of Unique Values From N Columns Using Rand Or RandBetween Function

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    33
    Rep Power
    0

    Get Combination Of Unique Values From N Columns Using Rand Or RandBetween Function

    I appreciate all the help I have gotten in the past, and I realize that I ask some of the dumbest questions, but I need help again.

    I have need of a formula using the random feature.

    I have columns, Entrees, Vegetables 1, Vegetables 2, and Starches. They have 10 items in each column.

    I need a formula that will choose one item from each column, and make sure that there are no duplicates (in the Vegetables column).

    I've been working on this what seems forever, but cannot figure it out.

    Can I get some help?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member alansidman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Posts
    125
    Rep Power
    13
    Perhaps if you posted a sample spreadsheet of your data, it would be easier to supply you with a workable solution.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    33
    Rep Power
    0
    How do I post a sample spreadsheet?

    Thanks

  4. #4
    Member p45cal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    94
    Rep Power
    11
    See attached, an unmanageable and grotesque formula, but it seems to work. There must be a better way. Would a user defined function be acceptable (a macro)?
    Attached Files Attached Files

  5. #5
    Member p45cal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    94
    Rep Power
    11
    Quote Originally Posted by papabill View Post
    How do I post a sample spreadsheet?
    First click Reply or Reply with quote, then click Go Advanced and then click Manage Attachments and follow your nose.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    33
    Rep Power
    0
    excel.xlsx
    Quote Originally Posted by alansidman View Post
    Perhaps if you posted a sample spreadsheet of your data, it would be easier to supply you with a workable solution.

  7. #7
    Member p45cal's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Posts
    94
    Rep Power
    11
    Quote Originally Posted by papabill View Post
    and make sure that there are no duplicates (in the Vegetables column)
    Why did you specifically refer to the vegetables column?!
    See attached.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    33
    Rep Power
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by p45cal View Post
    Why did you specifically refer to the vegetables column?!
    Sorry, Originally the Veg1 and Veg2 columns were identical (until my brain figured out more vegetables) and I didn't want the same veg twice

  9. #9
    Administrator Excel Fox's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    1,401
    Rep Power
    10
    In line with p45cal, but a little more simpler approach maybe...
    Attached Files Attached Files
    A dream is not something you see when you are asleep, but something you strive for when you are awake.

    It's usually a bad idea to say that something can't be done.

    The difference between dream and aim, is that one requires soundless sleep to see and the other requires sleepless efforts to achieve

    Join us at Facebook

  10. #10
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    33
    Rep Power
    0
    The only thing that came through was a page (SHEET 2) of numbers, with "=RAND()" as the ONLY formula in each cell. Sorry, but nothing about it makes sense.

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-29-2013, 09:15 AM
  2. Move data from rows into columns for every unique value
    By mahmoud-lee in forum Excel Help
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-13-2013, 03:02 AM
  3. List Unique Values Using Formula
    By LalitPandey87 in forum Excel Help
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-09-2012, 08:39 PM
  4. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-07-2012, 12:11 AM
  5. Lookup Multi-Column For Unique String Combination For Numeric Value Output
    By Excel Fox in forum Excel and VBA Tips and Tricks
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-03-2011, 07:23 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •