How do I create a macro to return all possible combinations of letters?

**k8b** · 03-26-2010, 07:04 AM

Hi All,

I am hoping you can help, I have two sets of 8 letters and I want to compute each possible combination by randomly selecting 4 letters from each set. The 1st set I have put in A1-A8 and the second set I have put in B1-B8 (though these could easily be moved if necessary). I want excel to return all possible combinations for the above, ideally with each resulting string of 8 letters returned to a single cell.

I am totally new to the idea of macros / code within excel and have managed to follow a couple of online tutorials to create a simple macro, but I don't have the understanding to convert this into useful knowledge to solve the above!

Any help much appreciated!

Many Thanks,
Kate

**Armando Montes** · 03-26-2010, 06:29 PM

Check this out:
http://www.telefonica.net/web2/kl2/V...na_Larson).xls

**Marcol** · 03-26-2010, 06:53 PM

As a matter of curiosity, why should such a problem arise?

I am interested to hear where, in practice, such a problem needs solving.

Is it just an academic foible?

**k8b** · 03-31-2010, 10:39 AM

This was not quite what I wanted but good enough - many thanks!
The reason for it was not academic at all, but I am in the process of "meshing" 2 names into one and wanted to see all the possible 8-letter anagrams made up of equal parts of the 2 existing 8-letter names, to see if any really stood out. the solution given by Armando was the best I have found, I just have to pick 8 letters to use rather than them being randomly selected!