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How To Randomize Word Documents

1. This document provides step-by-step instructions for randomizing the order of questions within an existing MS Word file by converting the text to a table, inserting a column with random numbers, and then sorting the table based on that numerical column. 2. Key steps include converting the questions to a table with one column, inserting a new column and pasting a randomly generated numerical list, and then sorting the entire table based on the numbers in the new column to randomize the question order. 3. The randomized questions can then be re-ordered repeatedly by pasting new random number lists and re-sorting, allowing the questions and answers to retain linked hidden text features.

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caddo1975
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9K views4 pages

How To Randomize Word Documents

1. This document provides step-by-step instructions for randomizing the order of questions within an existing MS Word file by converting the text to a table, inserting a column with random numbers, and then sorting the table based on that numerical column. 2. Key steps include converting the questions to a table with one column, inserting a new column and pasting a randomly generated numerical list, and then sorting the entire table based on the numbers in the new column to randomize the question order. 3. The randomized questions can then be re-ordered repeatedly by pasting new random number lists and re-sorting, allowing the questions and answers to retain linked hidden text features.

Uploaded by

caddo1975
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF or read online on Scribd
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1

Randomizing Questions in an Existing MS Word File

NOTE: These instructions are for MS Word 2003; while the same
process can be used for Word 2007, the menu choices are a little
different. I can make a 2007 version, should we need such a creature.

1. Begin by highlighting the text


needing randomized.
NOTE: Text must be contiguous
in order to be randomized later.
Any additional text, such as
manual page headers, will need
to be removed temporarily.
2. Next click Table > Convert >
Text to Table

3. A new window, “Convert Text to


Table,” will appear.
4. Ensure that the following
settings are set at their default:
a. Table size – “Number of
columns” set to 1
NOTE: While we will add
another column later, it is
important to maintain the
information as-is; thus,
we choose only one
column for now.
b. AutoFit behavior –
“Fixed column width” is
checked
c. Table style: (none) –
Choose Paragraph from
the “Separate text at”
section
NOTE: This will allow MS
Word to create an
individual table cell for
each question and
individual answer.
2

However, we will correct


this in the next few steps.

5. A new table will be created


containing the text.
NOTE: Some cleanup may be
necessary at this point; delete
any empty rows created by this
process.
6. Highlight the cells containing
the questions and their
respective answers only.

7. Right-click the highlighted area


and select Merge Cells.
8. The questions and their
subsequent answers will now be
contained in one cell.
9. Repeat these steps until all
sections are contained in their
respective cells.

10.Highlight the entire column


containing the questions and
answers.
11.From the menu, choose Table
> Insert > Columns to the
Left.
12.Save the Word document as
your original order (i.e.,
“original_file.doc”, etc.)

13.In this new column, we will


insert a randomly generated
list, starting from the number 1
to however many questions we
have to randomize. Such a list
can be produced at websites
such as
http://www.random.org/lists/.
3

14.Highlight the randomized list


and COPY it to your Clipboard.

15.Once you have a randomly-


generated numerical list,
highlight the new column and
Paste the number list to this
column.
NOTE: If the new column has
two sets of numbers, as shown
here, be sure to highlight the
column and turn OFF the
Numbering format.

16.Now, we use the numbered list


to randomize all the questions.
17.Highlight the entire table and
choose Table > Sort from the
menu.
18.In the new menu, choose the
following:
a. Sort by: Column 1
b. Type: Number
c. Ascending (order)
19.Click OK.
4

20.The table will now be


randomized, as its numerical
order has been sorted, based
on a randomized list. This left-
handed column can now be
used as the questions’ order.
NOTE: Using this method will
allow text to retain its ‘hidden
text’ feature, which contains
the correct answer key.
Otherwise, this hidden text is
lost.
21.The table/cell borders may now
be hidden, pending overall
design choice.
22.The questions can now be
randomized over and over,
simply by:
a. Opening the original file
(with the blank column)
b. Pasting a randomly-
generated numerical list
in the left
c. Sorting the entire table
by this new list

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