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Thread: Get Combination Of Unique Values From N Columns Using Rand Or RandBetween Function

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    Get Combination Of Unique Values From N Columns Using Rand Or RandBetween Function

    I appreciate all the help I have gotten in the past, and I realize that I ask some of the dumbest questions, but I need help again.

    I have need of a formula using the random feature.

    I have columns, Entrees, Vegetables 1, Vegetables 2, and Starches. They have 10 items in each column.

    I need a formula that will choose one item from each column, and make sure that there are no duplicates (in the Vegetables column).

    I've been working on this what seems forever, but cannot figure it out.

    Can I get some help?

    Thanks

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    Senior Member alansidman's Avatar
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    Perhaps if you posted a sample spreadsheet of your data, it would be easier to supply you with a workable solution.

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    How do I post a sample spreadsheet?

    Thanks

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    Member p45cal's Avatar
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    See attached, an unmanageable and grotesque formula, but it seems to work. There must be a better way. Would a user defined function be acceptable (a macro)?
    Attached Files Attached Files

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    Member p45cal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by papabill View Post
    How do I post a sample spreadsheet?
    First click Reply or Reply with quote, then click Go Advanced and then click Manage Attachments and follow your nose.

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    excel.xlsx
    Quote Originally Posted by alansidman View Post
    Perhaps if you posted a sample spreadsheet of your data, it would be easier to supply you with a workable solution.

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    Member p45cal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by papabill View Post
    and make sure that there are no duplicates (in the Vegetables column)
    Why did you specifically refer to the vegetables column?!
    See attached.
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    Quote Originally Posted by p45cal View Post
    Why did you specifically refer to the vegetables column?!
    Sorry, Originally the Veg1 and Veg2 columns were identical (until my brain figured out more vegetables) and I didn't want the same veg twice

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    Administrator Excel Fox's Avatar
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    In line with p45cal, but a little more simpler approach maybe...
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    The only thing that came through was a page (SHEET 2) of numbers, with "=RAND()" as the ONLY formula in each cell. Sorry, but nothing about it makes sense.

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