Returns a random number.
Rnd[(number)]
The number argument can be any valid numeric expression.
The Rnd function returns a value less than 1 but greater than or equal to 0. The value of number determines how Rnd generates a random number:
| If number is | Rnd generates |
|---|---|
| Less than zero | The same number every time, using number as the seed. |
| Greater than zero | The next random number in the sequence. |
| Equal to zero | The most recently generated number. |
| Not supplied | The next random number in the sequence. |
For any given initial seed, the same number sequence is generated because each successive call to the Rnd function uses the previous number as a seed for the next number in the sequence.
Before calling Rnd, use the Randomize statement without an argument to initialize the random-number generator with a seed based on the system timer.
To produce random integers in a given range, use this formula:
Int((upperbound - lowerbound + 1) * Rnd + lowerbound)
Here, upperbound is the highest number in the range, and lowerbound is the lowest number in the range.
Note To repeat sequences of random numbers, call Rnd with a negative argument immediately before using Randomize with a numeric argument. Using Randomize with the same value for number does not repeat the previous sequence.