RAND Excel Function

The purpose of the RAND function in Excel is as follows:

1. The RAND or RANDBETWEEN function in Excel generates a list of random numbers. It creates more values than we need, and we can delete some duplicates later.
2. We can convert formulas to values to prevent Excel random functions from recalculating.
3. The function removes duplicate values using Excel’s built-in tool or the advanced Duplicate Remover for Excel.

We can use the RAND function works in Excel as follows:

1. Select an empty cell to enter the Formula.
2. Type =RAND() in the selected cell. [Alternatively, type “=R” and double-click the RAND function from the list of suggestions shown by Excel].
3. Press the “Enter” key.

Let us generate random numbers using the RAND Excel Function for the following example, where

Column A contains the Output to be generated.

The procedure to use RAND Excel Function is,

Select cell A1, enter the formula =RAND(), and press the “Enter” key. The result in cell A1 is ‘0.4072’. Now, drag the formula to cell A2 using the fill handle. The output is shown below.

We can find the RAND function using the following steps:

Choose an empty cell for the result > select the “Formulas” tab > go to the “Function Library” group > click the “Math & Trig” drop-down > select the “Rand” function option, as shown below.



The RAND Excel formula is inserted in the cell, and the “Function Arguments” window instantly appears, as shown below. Since this function has no arguments, click “OK”.