How to Generate Random Letters with Excel Formulas

Generating random letters in Microsoft Excel is a straightforward process that leverages the powerful CHAR and RANDBETWEEN functions. By combining these functions, you can create random single letters or even strings of letters for various applications, such as testing data or creating placeholders. This guide will walk you through the steps to harness Excel’s capabilities for random letter generation, providing practical examples and tips along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Excel can generate random letters using the CHAR and RANDBETWEEN functions.
• A simple formula can return a new random letter every time the sheet recalculates.
• You can create both uppercase and lowercase random letters by changing the number ranges.
• Random letter strings are useful for testing data, training, and placeholders.
• Copy and paste as values to make them static.

 

Why Random Values?

Excel allows you to generate random letters with the help of a simple formula. Creating random values may be important when you want the result to be fair and unbiased. This process is generally used when real data is not available, and you want a random sample to test your work.

Random values help you to test formulas, check the logic of your work, and make sure that the spreadsheet works with different random inputs.

 

Random Letter Generation

CHAR Function

The CHAR function can be used to convert a number to a letter. For example, you can input the number 65 to return A.

This function is simple and useful when you want to insert characters that are not part of the keyboard.

RANDBETWEEN

The RANDBETWEEN function is used to generate a random value every time the sheet recalculates. You can set a top and bottom limit, and RANDBETWEEN will return a value within that range.

This formula is perfect when you want to stimulate a roll of dice.

 

How to Generate Random Letters

Formula 1: Individual Random Character

Getting a random letter in Excel doesn’t require a magic spell; just a simple formula. By combining the power of CHAR and RANDBETWEEN, you create a formula like =CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65,90)), which will return an unexpected uppercase letter every time.

Want something more low-key? Adjust the numbers to the lowercase range (97-122), and voilà, a surprise in small caps awaits!

Formula 2: Strings of Random Letters

When you need more than a solo act and want a whole ensemble of letters, crafting strings of randomness comes into play. By using a concoction like =TEXTJOIN(“”, TRUE, CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65, 90)), CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(97, 122))) repeatedly, you build strings of alternating uppercase and lowercase letters.

With each copy, new and unique strands of 6-letter text strings unfurl down your Excel canvas, showcasing randomness at its finest.

 

Tips & Tricks

Convert Dynamic Values to Static

The formula will automatically generate random values each time the sheet recalculates. This may be useful in some cases, but nto always. Sometimes, you can need the random value to become static and not keep changing. To convert the dynamic value to static, you can follow the steps below:

• Copy the random value by pressing Ctrl  + C
• Paste it by pressing Alt + E + S
• In the Paste Special dialog box, select Values.
• Click OK.

Best Practices

• Know the reason why randomness is being used.
• Document your process so that it can easily be used later.
• Set the range for the RANDBETWEEN formula correctly.
• If you need consistency, paste the formula as value.

 

FAQs

Does Excel have a built-in random letter generator?

No, Excel doesn’t have a built-in random letter generator function. However, you can craft your own using the CHAR and RANDBETWEEN functions to simulate this effect and generate random letters as needed.

Can I Generate a Specific Length of Random String?

You can use a combination of the CHAR function, the RANDBETWEEN function, and & operator. To create a random letter between A to Z, use the formula:

=CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65,90))

To make a longer text, you can combine multiple formulas withthe  & operator.

=CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65,90))&CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65,90))&CHAR(RANDBETWEEN(65,90)) generates a 3-character random string.

How to Create a Random List Without Duplicates?

• Use the RANDBETWEEN function to generate a list of random numbers.
• After that, use the remove duplicate features to highlight any duplicates.
• Then, simply remove those duplicates from the list.