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Random function
I'm looking for functionality that would enable a field to be completed with a random selection from a list. Is this something that exists within Smartsheet? I cannot seem to locate any formula code to accomplish this. In excel we would use a random integer nested in a VLOOKUP function that would generate a random number and then fill in a field with text from the lookup table.
Am I aiming too high here? Thanks. Sarah
Comments
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Unfortunately, it doesn't look like there's a way to do it right now. At least not automatically. You could create a column where you paste a random number in (from somewhere like Random.org) and then map the contents of that column to whatever you want randomized, but I don't think you can do it entirely within Smartsheet. Might be a good feature request!
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Sarah-- We are working on a new version of our formula engine that would empower same-sheet VLOOKUP functions, which would definitely resolve this issue! We'll post in the Community when this is available, I'm hearing that it may be relatively soon.
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Sarah,
How many selections are you talking about?
You could use the Created (Date) system column as your "seed".
=Created23 - DATEONLY(Created23)
for row 23 will give you a number (to 5 digits) that can be used to get your selections.
As Kennedy hinted, a sheet-level LOOKUP is coming.
Together, they should be able to give you what you want.
Craig
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And to confirm-- sheet-level LOOKUP is now available! If you're still looking for a solution, you can find more information on implementing this in your sheets in our Formula article.
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any update on how to create random entries from a defined vlookup table? I read Kennedy's linked reference but didn't find the info I was looking for.
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Avery did you have any luck? I tried following Craig's advice but proven unsuccessful randomizing from a given list!
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