The RANDBETWEEN Function is categorized under Excel Math and Trigonometry functions. The function will return a random integer number between the user-specified numbers. It will return a random integer number every time the worksheet is opened or calculated.
As a financial analyst, the RANDBETWEEN function can be used to generate random integer numbers within a specified range. However, it is used less frequently in the finance industry, as compared to other fields such as cryptography and statistics.
Syntax: RANDBETWEEN(bottom, top)
The RANDBETWEEN function syntax has the following arguments:
- Bottom Required. The smallest integer RANDBETWEEN will return.
-
Top Required. The largest integer RANDBETWEEN will return.
Example: Let’s look at some Excel RANDBETWEEN function examples and explore how to use the RANDBETWEEN function as a worksheet function in Microsoft Excel:
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A2,B2)
Result:
Based on the Excel spreadsheet above, the following RANDBETWEEN examples would return:
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A3,B3)
Result: 786
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A4,B4)
Result: 1642
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A5,B5)
Result: -15
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A6,B6)
Result: -45
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A7,B7)
Result: -1
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A8,B8)
Result: 6
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A9,B9)
Result: 2
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A10,B10)
Result: -5
Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(A11,B11)
Result: 0
Note:
- Use the RANDBETWEEN function to get a random integer between bottom and top. For example, =RANDBETWEEN(1,50) might generate the number 28
- RANDBETWEEN calculates a new value each time the worksheet is calculated. To stop random numbers from being updated, copy the cells that contain RANDBETWEEN to the clipboard, then use Paste Special > Values to convert to text.
- To generate a set of random integers in multiple cells, select the cells, enter the RANDBETWEEN function, and press control+ enter.
- To get a random number that doesn’t change when the worksheet is calculated, enter RANDBETWEEN in the formulas bar and then press F9 to convert the formula into its result.
- Common Errors: +) #NUM! – Occurs if the supplied bottom argument is greater than the supplied top argument.
+) #VALUE! – Occurs if either of the supplied arguments are non-numeric.