Excel 2007 includes the RANDBETWEEN function, which allows you to quickly add sample data to your worksheets. (In previous versions of Excel, this function was available only after you installed the Analysis Tool Pack add-in.)
For example, say your worksheet contains a list of 14 customers in Column A and their corresponding purchases in Column B. Follow these steps to use the RANDBETWEEN function to add sample data to Column B:
- Click in Cell B2 and enter =RANDBETWEEN(0,100).
- Drag the fill handle at the bottom right corner to cell B15.
The sample data will remain in the worksheet until you close it. When you reopen the worksheet, Excel will recalculate the function and display new sample data. To prevent Excel from recalculating the values, follow these steps:
- Select B3:B15.
- Press [Ctrl]C.
- Click on the Home tab.
- Click Copy in the Clipboard group.
- Click Paste.
- Click Paste Values.
- Press [Esc].
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