Randomizing

[Pontus]

I want a field, which contents should be randomized. I would like to have one field numeric and one alfanumeric. The randomizing should be in a range specified of me, of course.

How do I do that?

[CobaltSky]

Try using the Random calculation function (in either a script or a calculation formula.

It returns a random value between 0 and 1. You must multiply it by the desired upper limit to achieve a defined range. You can use the Int( ) function if you want only whole numbers returned, viz:

Int(Random * RangeSetValue)

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You can also couple the Random and Int functions with the Choose function to return a random alphanumeric character.

[Pontus]

Oh. There are no plug-in that will make things a lot easier?

[CobaltSky]

There may be plug-ins - there are certainly some that perform range and string functions. However why use an external function for 'Random' when there is an internal one...

There is nothing very complicated about:

Middle("0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ", Int(Random* 35.5) + 1, 1)

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and it will return the random alphanumeric character you're looking for. Compared to the syntax required to make external function calls to some plug-ins, this is sweet and easy!

[Pontus]

Thanks!

I didn't really understood your first reply with a Choose command. This new one explains it a lot better...

[Jeff Spall]

Hi, thanks for that. I just happened to be making a trial user access for a website and wanted to generate a random password, so I did a search on "random" and - here's the answer! I'll just combine it with a date to time out the user's trial.

Nice tip, thanks!

regards, Jeff

[Kundinger]

Hello,

To generate passwords, I use the same formula that Ray ('CobaltSky ') uses:

Middle("0123456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ", Int(Random* 35.5) + 1, 1)

I 'concatenate' multiples of this to generate many random alphanumeric characters. This works very well.

WORD of CAUTION...

My work entails information systems in K-12 education institutions. I have found that 'certain' alphanumeric characters can be 'confussing' to users... especially young users... or old users that 'act' young. Some users can confuse the '0' & 'O' & 'D' and '1' & 'l' & 'I'. No matter what you tell the user, it is the 'systems' fault. This can drive a developer & support staff 'nuts'.

To alleviate this... I have 'modified' the above formula by removing certain characters:

Middle("23456789ABCEFGHJKMNPQRSTUVWXYZ", Int(Random* 29.5) + 1, 1)

This has worked the best... I have been using it for over 3 years.

Bob Kundinger