Often when you need to generate a sample from large data set, you may want to pick data from a random date. In such cases, you can use excel’s RAND() and RANDBETWEEN() formulas [syntax and help] to pick a random date.
Here I have included few examples,
To pick a random date in the last one month:
=TODAY() - RANDBETWEEN(0,30)
or
=TODAY() - RAND()*30
To pick a random date in the next one month:
=TODAY() + RANDBETWEEN(0,30)
or
=TODAY() + RAND()*30
To pick a random date in the last one year:
=TODAY() - RANDBETWEEN(0,365)
or
=TODAY() - RAND()*365
To pic a random time of day:
=RAND()
Make sure you format the cell to show value as date (or time) to see the outcome. Also, if you have not turned on the Analysis toolpak, the RANDBETWEEN formula will not work.
More on picking random stuff:
Random phone number | Shuffle a list | More on Random Formulas
PS: If you are looking to pick up a random date, what are you doing here?
5 Responses to “Show more of your workbook on screens [quick tip]”
In 2013 you can also add to the QAT the hidden command "Toggle Full Screen View".
Instead of using the shortcut CTRL+F1, I prefer just to double-click one of the tab names (ie double-click the "Home" text on the Home tab) to enable the Ribbon Outline view. To return to the normal Ribbon state, just double-click your mouse again!
press Ctrl+Shift+F1, you will get a full screen
Instead of Ctrl + F1, I use Ctrl + Shift + F1 (Excel 2016)
Alt W E sequence for full screen
ESC to get back