Generate Random Numbers or Select Random Items from a List in Google Sheet

If you’ve ever needed to pick a random winner for a giveaway, generate test scores for a spreadsheet, or select a random product from your inventory, Google Sheets can help you do it easily. Whether you’re a teacher, marketer, business owner, or just organizing a fun group activity, learning how to generate random numbers or select random items in Google Sheets can save you time and hassle. The best part? You don’t need to be a tech wizard—just a few simple formulas will do the trick.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to generate random numbers and randomly pick from a list using built-in Google Sheets functions. Let’s dive in!

Why Use Random Functions in Google Sheets?

Random functions are incredibly useful for:

• Creating randomized data sets for testing or analysis
• Selecting a random item (e.g., student, product, prize winner)
• Shuffling lists to prevent bias
• Auto-generating lottery numbers or IDs

How to Generate Random Numbers in Google Sheets

Using the RAND Function

Syntax: =RAND()

This function generates a random decimal number between 0 and 1.

Example:

• Typing =RAND() into a cell might return 0.7832

Using the RANDBETWEEN Function

Syntax: =RANDBETWEEN(min, max)

This function generates a random whole number between the two numbers you specify.

Example:

• =RANDBETWEEN(1, 100) might return any number between 1 and 100

How to Select a Random Item from a List

Using the INDEX and RANDBETWEEN Combo

This method randomly selects one item from a list.

Formula: =INDEX(A2:A10, RANDBETWEEN(1, COUNTA(A2:A10)))

Let’s break it down:

• A2:A10 is the range of your list
• COUNTA(A2:A10) counts how many items are in your list
• RANDBETWEEN selects a random row number
• INDEX returns the item from that row

Real-Life Example: Randomly Select a Daily Winner from a List of Participants

Suppose you’re running a daily raffle and want to randomly pick a winner from a list of names.

Here’s your spreadsheet:

Participant
Alex
Jamie
Taylor
Chris
Jordan
Drew

To select one winner:

1. Place the list in cells A2:A7
2. In another cell, type: =INDEX(A2:A7, RANDBETWEEN(1, COUNTA(A2:A7)))

This will randomly display one name from the list. Refresh the sheet or edit any cell to get a new random name.

Bonus Tip: Prevent Random Changes

Every time the sheet recalculates, the random result changes. If you want to keep the selected value:

1. After getting a result, copy the cell
2. Right-click and choose Paste special > Paste values only

Quick Cheat Sheet

Function	Description	Example
=RAND()	Random decimal between 0 and 1	=RAND()
=RANDBETWEEN(min, max)	Random whole number between two values	=RANDBETWEEN(1, 10)
=INDEX(range, RANDBETWEEN(...))	Randomly select from a list	=INDEX(A2:A10, RANDBETWEEN(1, COUNTA(A2:A10)))

Now you know how to generate random numbers and pick random items in Google Sheets like a pro! Whether you’re building a game, running a contest, or just want to mix things up, these tools can make your spreadsheets a lot more dynamic and fun. The best part? They’re free, simple, and built right into Google Sheets—no add-ons required.

Give it a try and see how easy it is to bring randomness into your sheets!