[Excel] Building a matchmaking list

Pjstelford

In my fraternity, we are attempting to create a list to easily facilitate matching people up 'randomly' for lunches, to allow everyone to get to know everyone else. I can (and have) done the tried and true 'pull two names out of the hat at a time' method, but I was wondering if there would be a way to easily make such a list in excel or access.

The idea I envision (nonrandom) would be two columns. Column A would be a list of all the members, and Column B would consist of drop down lists (VLookup? It's been a while here). Let's use a member database of Adam, Ben, Christine, and Danielle. If I go to Adam's line, I want to be able to choose from Ben, Christine, and Danielle. Say I choose Danielle, I would then like to see Danielle's choice be automatically set to Adam's.

Random idea would be the same setup as above, but an initial randomizing function that wouldn't leave any leftovers.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Orogogus

The quick and dirty way I would accomplish the result in Excel, but which wouldn't leave you with the elegant spreadsheet you're envisioning:

1. Set up data as follows:
Column A: Some kind of formatting mark, like filling 2 cells with black, skipping 2 cells, filling the next 2 cells, etc.
Column B: Everyone's name
Column C: =RAND()

2. Sort columns B and C according to column C, thus putting them in random order

Column A makes it easier to identify the pairs. You can't format the names themselves because the formatting will move when sorted. By preference, you could also write Pair 1, Pair 2, etc.

Matthasnopants

Orogogus wrote: »

The quick and dirty way I would accomplish the result in Excel, but which wouldn't leave you with the elegant spreadsheet you're envisioning:

1. Set up data as follows:
Column A: Some kind of formatting mark, like filling 2 cells with black, skipping 2 cells, filling the next 2 cells, etc.
Column B: Everyone's name
Column C: =RAND()

2. Sort columns B and C according to column C, thus putting them in random order

Column A makes it easier to identify the pairs. You can't format the names themselves because the formatting will move when sorted. By preference, you could also write Pair 1, Pair 2, etc.

This would work and if you do want a pretty spreadsheet you can very easily do what Orogogus suggested on Sheet B or whatever and then just reference the appropriate cells on Sheet A and make it look nice.