Difference between revisions of "Documentation/How Tos/Calc: RAND function"
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== RAND == | == RAND == | ||
Returns a random number between 0 and 1. | Returns a random number between 0 and 1. | ||
− | |||
=== Syntax: === | === Syntax: === | ||
<tt>'''RAND()'''</tt> | <tt>'''RAND()'''</tt> | ||
− | : This function produces a new random number each time Calc recalculates. | + | : This function produces a new random number each time Calc recalculates, greater than or equal to 0, and less than 1. |
: To force Calc to recalculate manually press Shift+Ctrl+F9. | : To force Calc to recalculate manually press Shift+Ctrl+F9. | ||
: To generate a random number which never recalculates, copy a cell containing <tt>'''=RAND()'''</tt>, and use Edit - Paste Special... (with Paste All and Formulas <u>not</u> selected and Numbers selected). | : To generate a random number which never recalculates, copy a cell containing <tt>'''=RAND()'''</tt>, and use Edit - Paste Special... (with Paste All and Formulas <u>not</u> selected and Numbers selected). | ||
− | |||
=== Example: === | === Example: === | ||
<tt>'''RAND()'''</tt> | <tt>'''RAND()'''</tt> | ||
− | : returns a random number between <tt>'''0'''</tt> and <tt>'''1'''</tt>. | + | : returns a random number between <tt>'''0'''</tt> (inclusive) and <tt>'''1'''</tt> (exclusive). |
<tt>'''RAND()*(b-a) + a'''</tt> | <tt>'''RAND()*(b-a) + a'''</tt> | ||
: returns a random real number between <tt>'''a'''</tt> and <tt>'''b'''</tt>. | : returns a random real number between <tt>'''a'''</tt> and <tt>'''b'''</tt>. | ||
− | |||
=== See also: === | === See also: === |
Revision as of 16:09, 3 January 2008
RAND
Returns a random number between 0 and 1.
Syntax:
RAND()
- This function produces a new random number each time Calc recalculates, greater than or equal to 0, and less than 1.
- To force Calc to recalculate manually press Shift+Ctrl+F9.
- To generate a random number which never recalculates, copy a cell containing =RAND(), and use Edit - Paste Special... (with Paste All and Formulas not selected and Numbers selected).
Example:
RAND()
- returns a random number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive).
RAND()*(b-a) + a
- returns a random real number between a and b.