Microsoft KB Archive/143350

= Random Number Generator Using a Normal Distribution =

Article ID: 143350

Article Last Modified on 8/15/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 95a
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0c
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0a for Macintosh

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This article was previously published under Q143350



SYMPTOMS
In the versions of Microsoft Excel listed above, the Random Number Generator, using a normal distribution with a random seed, does not produce the same set of random numbers more than once. However, using other distributions with a random seed will continually produce the same set of random numbers.



RESOLUTION
To correct this problem, upgrade to either Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows or Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Excel listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows and Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition.



MORE INFORMATION
The Random Number Generator returns independent random numbers drawn from a distribution. By using the same distribution with a random seed, the Random Number Generator can be used to produce the same set of random numbers over and over again.



In Microsoft Excel Version 7.0
For more information about the Random Number Generation analysis tool, click the Answer Wizard in Help and type:

how do I generate random numbers

In Microsoft Excel Version 5.0
Microsoft Excel, "User's Guide," version 5.0, Chapter 31, "Using a Data Analysis Tool"

For more information about the Random Number Generation tool, click the Search button in Help and type:

random

Additional query words: 5.00a 5.00c 7.00a XL7 XL5 XL

Keywords: kbbug kbprb KB143350

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