Analysis Tool Pack: Random function help

I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack using
this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of the
parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
available in the help file.

Scott,
Check out:
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/ATP.htm

You'll see parameters and some explanation listed in the object browser.

NickHK

"Scott P" <ScottP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C507C191-8929-4C44-A768-A5886F8DC316@microsoft.com...
> I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack
using
> this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of
the
> parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
> available in the help file.

In Excel Help. It mimics the arguments when you call it through Tools>=Data
Analysis => random number generation:

About the Random Number Generation dialog box

Number of Variables

Enter the number of columns of values you want in the output table. If you
do not enter a number, Microsoft Excel fills all columns in the output range
you specify.

Number of Random Numbers

Enter the number of data points you want to see. Each data point appears in
a row of the output table. If you do not enter a number, Microsoft Excel
fills all rows in the output range you specify.

Distribution

Click the distribution method you want to use to create random values.

Uniform

Characterized by lower and upper bounds. Variables are drawn with equal
probability from all values in the range. A common application uses a
uniform distribution in the range 0...1.

Normal

Characterized by a mean and a standard deviation. A common application uses
a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1 for the standard normal
distribution.

Bernoulli

Characterized by a probability of success (p value) on a given trial.
Bernoulli random variables have the value 0 or 1. For example, you can draw
a uniform random variable in the range 0...1. If the variable is less than
or equal to the probability of success, the Bernoulli random variable is
assigned the value 1; otherwise, it is assigned the value 0.

Binomial

Characterized by a probability of success (p value) for a number of trials.
For example, you can generate number-of-trials Bernoulli random variables,
the sum of which is a binomial random variable.

Poisson

Characterized by a value lambda, equal to 1/mean. Poisson distribution is
often used to characterize the number of events that occur per unit of time
¾ for example, the average rate at which cars arrive at a toll plaza.

Patterned

Characterized by a lower and upper bound, a step, repetition rate for
values, and repetition rate for the sequence.

Discrete

Characterized by a value and the associated probability range. The range
must contain two columns: The left column contains values, and the right
column contains probabilities associated with the value in that row. The sum
of the probabilities must be 1.

Parameters

Enter a value or values to characterize the distribution selected.

Random Seed

Enter an optional value from which to generate random numbers. You can reuse
this value later to produce the same random numbers.

Output Range

Enter the reference for the upper-left cell of the output table. Microsoft
Excel automatically determines the size of the output area and displays a
message if the output table will replace existing data.

New Worksheet Ply

Click to insert a new worksheet in the current workbook and paste the
results starting at cell A1 of the new worksheet. To name the new worksheet,
type a name in the box.

New Workbook

Click to create a new workbook and paste the results on a new worksheet in
the new workbook.

----------------------
Create a reference to ATPVBAEN.XLA in the tools=>References in the VBE and
then you can see it in the Object browser. It list the arguments there.



--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy



"Scott P" <ScottP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C507C191-8929-4C44-A768-A5886F8DC316@microsoft.com...
> I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack
using
> this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of
the
> parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
> available in the help file.

Just to add, Turn on the macro recorder and perform the random function you
want manually through the menus. then turn off the macro recorder and
compare the arguments recorded to what you did.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy

"Scott P" <ScottP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:C507C191-8929-4C44-A768-A5886F8DC316@microsoft.com...
> I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack
using
> this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of
the
> parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
> available in the help file.

Thanks, Nick. I actually saw that page prior to my post -- it does a good
job of explaining how to reference the ATP library. It does not seem to
define the parameters of the ATP functions, such as Random. Are you aware of
somewhere else that might define such parameters? Thanks.

"NickHK" wrote:

> Scott,
> Check out:
> http://www.cpearson.com/excel/ATP.htm
>
> You'll see parameters and some explanation listed in the object browser.
>
> NickHK
>
> "Scott P" <ScottP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C507C191-8929-4C44-A768-A5886F8DC316@microsoft.com...
> > I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack
> using
> > this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of
> the
> > parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
> > available in the help file.
>
>
>

Thanks, Tom.

"Tom Ogilvy" wrote:

> In Excel Help. It mimics the arguments when you call it through Tools>=Data
> Analysis => random number generation:
>
> About the Random Number Generation dialog box
>
> Number of Variables
>
> Enter the number of columns of values you want in the output table. If you
> do not enter a number, Microsoft Excel fills all columns in the output range
> you specify.
>
> Number of Random Numbers
>
> Enter the number of data points you want to see. Each data point appears in
> a row of the output table. If you do not enter a number, Microsoft Excel
> fills all rows in the output range you specify.
>
> Distribution
>
> Click the distribution method you want to use to create random values.
>
> Uniform
>
> Characterized by lower and upper bounds. Variables are drawn with equal
> probability from all values in the range. A common application uses a
> uniform distribution in the range 0...1.
>
> Normal
>
> Characterized by a mean and a standard deviation. A common application uses
> a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1 for the standard normal
> distribution.
>
> Bernoulli
>
> Characterized by a probability of success (p value) on a given trial.
> Bernoulli random variables have the value 0 or 1. For example, you can draw
> a uniform random variable in the range 0...1. If the variable is less than
> or equal to the probability of success, the Bernoulli random variable is
> assigned the value 1; otherwise, it is assigned the value 0.
>
> Binomial
>
> Characterized by a probability of success (p value) for a number of trials.
> For example, you can generate number-of-trials Bernoulli random variables,
> the sum of which is a binomial random variable.
>
> Poisson
>
> Characterized by a value lambda, equal to 1/mean. Poisson distribution is
> often used to characterize the number of events that occur per unit of time
> ¾ for example, the average rate at which cars arrive at a toll plaza.
>
> Patterned
>
> Characterized by a lower and upper bound, a step, repetition rate for
> values, and repetition rate for the sequence.
>
> Discrete
>
> Characterized by a value and the associated probability range. The range
> must contain two columns: The left column contains values, and the right
> column contains probabilities associated with the value in that row. The sum
> of the probabilities must be 1.
>
> Parameters
>
> Enter a value or values to characterize the distribution selected.
>
> Random Seed
>
> Enter an optional value from which to generate random numbers. You can reuse
> this value later to produce the same random numbers.
>
> Output Range
>
> Enter the reference for the upper-left cell of the output table. Microsoft
> Excel automatically determines the size of the output area and displays a
> message if the output table will replace existing data.
>
> New Worksheet Ply
>
> Click to insert a new worksheet in the current workbook and paste the
> results starting at cell A1 of the new worksheet. To name the new worksheet,
> type a name in the box.
>
> New Workbook
>
> Click to create a new workbook and paste the results on a new worksheet in
> the new workbook.
>
> ----------------------
> Create a reference to ATPVBAEN.XLA in the tools=>References in the VBE and
> then you can see it in the Object browser. It list the arguments there.
>
>
>
> --
> Regards,
> Tom Ogilvy
>
>
>
> "Scott P" <ScottP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:C507C191-8929-4C44-A768-A5886F8DC316@microsoft.com...
> > I am trying to use the "Random" function through the Analysis Tool Pack
> using
> > this reference: ATPVBAEN.XLA!Random. Where can I find a description of
> the
> > parameters for this function? Such a description does not appear to be
> > available in the help file.
>
>
>