Entering Random Numbers from Excel

[jeffparker]

I have found the following issue and was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to get around it. If I create a cell in "responses.xls" that is neither a predetermined number, nor a calculated "score", but rather a cell that is a random number generator, it makes the entire screen in medialab (2004) go blank.

I have attached a short (3 page) experiment, and its "responses.xls" file, so that you may see the issue for yourself.

Thanks to whoever solves this issue

[jarvis24]

I think you have found a snag in the use of the responses.xls file. On our systems here, the ranbetween function requires loading an Excel add-in called the Analysis Toolpak. For some reason, it seems that Excel doesn't not want to give up the contents of any cell that references a function from an add-in like this. I'm not sure exactly how to get around this. In your particular case though you could get a random number within a range without involving the add-in. Try this instead:

=INT(RAND()*10)+1

That, e.g., would generate a random number between 1 and 10.