Documentation/Calc Functions/RANDBETWEEN

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    Function name:

    RANDBETWEEN

    Category:

    Mathematical

    Summary:

    Generates a random integer that lies in a specified range.

    Syntax:

    RANDBETWEEN(Bottom; Top)

    Returns:

    Returns a random integer lying in the inclusive range [Bottom, Top].

    Arguments:

    Bottom is an integer value, or a reference to a cell containing that integer, that is the lower bound of the required range.

    Top is an integer value, or a reference to the cell containing that integer, that is the upper bound of the required range.

    • If either Bottom or Top is non-numeric, then RANDBETWEEN reports a #VALUE! error.
    • If Bottom is greater than Top, then RANDBETWEEN reports an invalid argument error (Err:502).
    • If either Bottom or Top is a non-integer value, then RANDBETWEEN rounds it away from 0 to the next integer value (positive values rounded towards +∞, negative values rounded towards -∞).
    • If Bottom and Top are equal (after any rounding), then RANDBETWEEN returns their common value.

    Additional details:

    • RANDBETWEEN is a volatile function that produces a new random number each time Calc recalculates. This means that Calc will update the value returned by RANDBETWEEN when any cell is updated by selecting Data ▸ Calculate ▸ Recalculate or pressing F9, or on any input event.
    • Use the RANDBETWEEN.NV function for a non-volatile equivalent.
    • To generate random numbers that never recalculate, either:
    • Copy cells containing =RANDBETWEEN(), and use Edit ▸ Paste Special (with All and Formulas deselected and Numbers selected).
    • Use Sheet ▸ Fill Cells ▸ Fill Random Number to fill a selected cell range with random numbers, generated in accordance with the flexible settings available through the Random Number Generator dialog.
    • To generate numbers in the range [0, 1), use the RAND function or its non-volatile equivalent RAND.NV.

    Examples:

    Formula Description Returns
    =RANDBETWEEN(20; 30) Generates a random integer r in the range 20 ≤ r ≤ 30. The returned value will change whenever Calc recalculates. 22
    =RANDBETWEEN(D1; D2) where cells D1 and D2 contain the numbers -10 and 10 respectively. Generates a random integer r in the range -10 ≤ r ≤ 10. The returned value will change whenever Calc recalculates 6
    =RANDBETWEEN(−6.1; −6.1) Always returns -7. Not a particularly helpful use of a random number generator but included to demonstrate that negative numbers are rounded away from 0. −7
    =RANDBETWEEN(9.2; 9.2) Always returns 10. Again, not a particularly helpful use of a random number generator but included to demonstrate that positive numbers are also rounded away from 0. 10

    Related LibreOffice functions:

    RAND

    RAND.NV

    RANDBETWEEN.NV

    ODF standard:

    Section 6.16.51, part 2

    Related (or similar) Excel functions:

    RANDBETWEEN