how do I generate test data

[giles]

I want to generate sample data - maybe 200 numbers from 1 to 7 but wieghted
towards one end - any ideas?

 

[JulieD]

Hi

Bernd Plumhoff posted this formula recently for generating random numbers
between two values (stored in A1 and B1) ... so select your 200 cells type
this formula and use control & enter to enter it into all the selected cells
at once.

=MIN($A$1,$B$1)+INT(RAND()*(MAX($A$1,$B$1)-MIN($A$1,$B$1)+1))

This however, doesn't weight them in any way.

Cheers
JulieD

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Weighted how?

Here's one way to get a distribution weighted toward 0. Select A1:A200,
and array-enter (CTRL-SHIFT_ENTER or CMD-RETURN):

=INT(RAND()*RAND()*7)+1

conversely, weighted toward 7 (also array-entered):

=7-INT(RAND()*RAND()*8)

You could also enter regularly each formula in cell A1 and copy down.