What you're really looking for is a *random order* of pre-determined data,
names or numbers.

The simplest approach for something like this is to insert a column along
side your existing column of data, and enter the Rand() function in this
column.
Then sort the 2 columns, with the Rand() function as the sort key, and
you'll have your "Random Order", of course, without any duplication.

There are slightly more intricate procedures using a formula, where you can
display a new random order with every click of the <F9 key, where sorting
is not necessary.

Post back if you might be interested in this.
--
Regards,

RD

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"mcmil" wrote in message
...
i am sort of new at this and dealing with functions. i have a question
about
indexing. once i have randomly generated a name or number from a list i
previously set up (and i got the random name by
using=index(a73:a173,rand()*99+1) how do i now generate another name but
making sure that the two names do not come up twice. is there an easy
formula
for this?
i use it for numbers also, i guess there's no difference. in other words i
dont wont the names/numbers to come up twice when generating.
thanks.