This document provides instructions for drawing a simple random sample from a population using Excel. It explains how to generate random numbers using the RAND() and RANDBETWEEN() functions. It then demonstrates practical steps to select a random sample of 100 students from a population of 1000 applicants: 1) assign serial numbers to the full population and sample, 2) generate random numbers to select students, 3) use VLOOKUP to retrieve the registration numbers of the selected students. The document provides examples and screenshots to clearly illustrate the process.

1. Statistics - How to draw a Simple Random Sample
using Excel
SC Chopra
sccpharma@gmail.com

2. To draw a Simple Random
Sample, we have to generate
RANDOM NUMBERS.

3. Random No.
Functions in
Excel
Rand() Randbetween()

4. Rand() Function
Creates decimal Random Numbers
From 0.000…001 to 0.999…999
Conversion into whole numbers/integers may be required

5. RandBetween (Lowest, Highest) Function
Creates random integers in specified range
Duplicates can occur
Remove duplicates by Remove Duplicates function

6. Random Numbers are VOLATILE
They change whenever an entry is made or file is opened
Freeze them by Copy => Paste Special => Values function

7. Pre-defined Populations: Examples
School students applying for a trip
Households in a Colony selected for survey

8. Steps to draw a Sample of 100 Students from a
population of 1000 Applicants for a Trip
Make a list of 1000 applicants (Population) using Serial Numbers (SN_P) from 1 to
1000 and unique Registration No (RN) of each`
Make a second list of 100 Sr No from 1 to 100 (SN_S) to serve as starting point of
selection list
To the right of each SN_S, place a random number from 1 to 1000 e.g. 872, 586,
572 etc.
These 100 random numbers are the serial numbers of students from the population
list, who will be sent on the trip.
Next step is to read the Unique ID (RN) of each selected student and copy it to the
selection list

9. Let us Practically Select a Sample of 100
Students out of 1000 who applied for a trip
Open a new Excel Worksheet
Type the headings as in next slide

10. • SN_P = Serial Number (Population)
• SN_S = Serial Number (Selected Sample)
• Random No = SN_P of selected students
• RN = Registration No. of relevant
students
Job Description
Area for
Population Data
Entry
Area for Sample
Data Computation

11. Fill SN_P from 1 to 1000 from cells A5 to
A1004 (next slide) by your preferred method

12. Bottom of SN_P
at A1004

13. To avoid unnecessary labour,
generate a Random No. here by
entering the formula shown in
Formula Box. In practice, RN
would be real & NOT Random
No.
Formula in
Formula Box

14. Double Click on the
Fill Handle to copy
formula to all SN_Ps

15. All SN_Ps get RN

16. Insert SN_S from 1 to 100 in cells
E5 to E104 by your preferred
method (for 100 selected students)

17. Randomly selected SN_P
of first selected student
(Formula in Formula Box)
i.e. SN_P No 417 is the
first student to be
selected

18. Copy formula upto required no. + 25% or so
extrsa

19. Select all data or only Random Numbers => Copy =>
Paste Special => Paste Values to freezw data i.e. to
prevent recalculation of Random Numbers.

20. Select ALL items in Random No. Column
(Col G) => Data => Remove Duplicates

21. • If we had generated 125 Random Numbers
instead of 100, even after removal of 5
duplicates, we are left with 20 Random
Numbers extra.
• Remove the extra Random Numbers so that
SN_S and Random Numbers match

22. After removal of extra
Random Numbers

23. Sr No. 674, 1000, 75 etc are the SN_Ps which have
been selected by generating Random Numbers

24. Getting Regn. Numbers of Selected Students from
their Sr No.
Use VLookUp(LookUp Value, Location, Column No. of interest)
LookUp Value is each selected Sr. No.
Location is Population Data (A5:B1004) i.e. SN_P and RN of Population
As you copy the formula down the list, cell reference values (A5:B1004) will change.
Prevent it by giving a meaningful name to this cell range e.g. Population
Column of interest is Col. 2 i.e. RN (Col B)

25. Select the Population
Data (A5:B1004)
Type Population in
Name Box & press Enter

26. Vertically lookup contents of F5 (674) in the
range “Population”(A5:B1004) and when you
find it, copy the contents of Col 2 (RN) in the
cell in which this formula is contained (G5)

27. Double Click on the
Fill-handle to copy the
formula down to all
the cells which
contain data on their
left

28. RN of 100 selected students.

29. Job Completed! Beautification is your choice!
Sorting the list as per Regn. No (RN)
Darker shade to Population area and lighter shade of same colour to Sample area
Combination of the two suggestions