Sort a word list in a random order

Q My students have expressed enthusiasm for extending their vocabulary. Using Microsoft Word, we've drawn up a list of words in one column and the related meaning in the next.

Some have commented, though that, as they become familiar with those, testing themselves by covering up either the word or its meaning becomes more a matter of recalling where on the list it appears rather than being assured that the word and its meaning are clearly assimilated.

Is there a program that allows parallel columns (in this case the word and its meaning) to be shuffled repeatedly and at random?

Denis O'Brien

A We reckon a practical and cheap way to do this would be to use a spreadsheet. As you're using Microsoft Word, we're assuming that you also have access to Excel but, if not, Google offers a free spreadsheet, Google Docs.

As you already do in Word, list the words in one column and their meanings in the next. Now, in the first cell of the third column, type the formula =RAND() and press Enter.

This creates a random number in the cell. Copy and paste this cell (and thus the random-number-generating formula it contains) to cover all rows that contain a word and meaning.

An easy way to do this in Excel is to click and drag the small black ‘handle' that appears at the bottom-right of the selected cell.

You'll now have three columns, with a word, meaning and random number on each row. Click and drag to select all the rows, leaving any column or row headings unselected. Now, in Excel 2003, select Sort from the Data menu.

In Excel 2007, you'll find the Sort button on the Data tab of the Ribbon. In the Sort dialogue box, use the Sort by dropdown menu to choose the column that contains the random number (column C, for example). Click OK, and the list of words and meanings will be duly sorted, in a random order.

Pressing F9 will cause the random numbers in the third column to be regenerated, so use this to re-order the words and meanings whenever you need (so, press F9 then follow the sorting instructions again). If you want to apply formatting and styles to the list, copy and paste the first two columns into Word.