'No Hands' random student selector is a small windows utility that randomly selects a Name from a class list. It is based on the idea that by randomly selecting pupils to answer questions, students feel more comfortable in answering teachers questions, and all students are more attentive as anyone in the class may be asked the next question. Jun 27, 2017  Download Random Name Selector Starter and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. ‎A great tool for Teachers, Clubs, or anyone who wants to Randomly select names! Simply create one or more Groups (up to 3 in this 'Starter' Edition of the app). Download Random Name Selector Pro and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. ‎The Pro version of the popular Random Name Selector is a Fun classroom management tool, designed for Teachers, that will engage and entertain students.

Generating a random number using MS Excel is very easy. It has two built-in functions called rand and ranbetween to help you through.

Free random name selector
  • rand is used to generate a number between 0 and 1
  • randbetween generates a whole number within a given range

These random name pickers reveal a single result each time. Enter 2 to 200 names. You can also click 'remove' to stop the same name being drawn again. (Thanks to Mrs. Jones from St.Benedict Catholic School for the fantastic 'remove' name idea!).

However, have you ever thought of selecting a random name or a random string from a given list? There could be various scenarios where you might need that. For instance, the editor of this blog plans to run giveaways soon. Excel can help him choose the winners in that case.

Random Name Selector For Teachers

However, Microsoft Excel provides no direct formula to get that done.

We have explored a few ways where we can apply some logic and combine a few formulas to get the task done. And, we will show you two such methods.

Cool Tip: Looking for a way to start writing on a new line in the same cell in MS Excel? Try the keys Alt + Enter.

Method 1

Step 1: Fill the list of names that you have, in any column without worrying about the order. In our example we have used column A. Also take note of the first and last row numbers. Here, they are 1 and 13.

Step 2: Switch to any arbitrary cell and type in the formula shown below.

=INDIRECT(CONCATENATE(“A”, RANDBETWEEN(1, 13)))

Free Random Name Selector App

Step 3: Hit Enter and you would be able to see the first random name. Whenever you want a new random name just press F9.

Method 2

Step 1: Fill the list of names that you have in any column without worrying about the order.

Step 2: Block the area (the cells that are filled with names) and give it a name as shown in the diagram below. Take note of the box where I have written NameList. That’s the name I have assigned to the list.

Step 3: Switch to any arbitrary cell and use either of the formulas shown below.

=INDEX(A1:A13, RANDBETWEEN(1, 13)) or Reunion family tree software for mac.

=INDEX(NameList, RANDBETWEEN(1, 13))

Hit F9 whenever you want to refresh the randomly generated name. If you want two names to be generated at once, write the same formula in two different cells. Likewise you may increase the number to 3, 4 and so on.

The advantage of using the last formula is that your list and formula do not have to be on the same sheet. Meaning, the list may be on Sheet 1 and the formula on Sheet 2. That way no one will be able to see what list the random name is being generated from.

Conclusion

Random Name Selector App Mac Download

So, that was how you can pick one or more random names from a list using Excel. Can you think of any other formula that would render the same result? If yes, do share with us. We’d be happy to learn.

Top Image Credit: Alan Cleaver


The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Also See#msexcel #How-to/Guides

Did You Know

Oppo used to make portable media players before they ventured into the field of mobile phones.

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