Random list item

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

I know i can use:

random number from 1 to 15

but how can i do something like:

random item from mylist

Browser: Firefox 2.0
Operating System: Mac OS X (10.4)

#2

something like this perhaps?

set the_values_list to {"value1", "value2", "value3", "value4"} as list --your initial list values
set the list_count to the count of the_values_list --gets number of items in list
set pick to random number from 1 to list_count --has it choose a random item
set generated_choice to item pick of the_values_list as string --sets the generated item as the choice
return generated_choice --displays the choice
#3

Hi,

You can use ‘some’:

set l to {1,2,3}
some item of l

gl,

#4

AppleScript has it covered:


set mylist to {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0}
repeat
	display dialog "A random pick is " & some item of mylist & return & return & "Use the 'Cancel' button to get out"
end repeat

Oops - Kel beat me to it. :rolleyes:

#5

very true, forgot about that, thanks Kel and Adam

#6

thank you :smiley:

Browser: Firefox 2.0
Operating System: Mac OS X (10.4)

#7

So to combine the two if you want to use text instead of just numbers.


set mylist to {"Bob", "Brian", "Mark", "Joshua", "Sarah", "George"} as list
repeat
	display dialog "A random pick is " & some item of mylist & return & return & "Use the 'Cancel' button to get out"
end repeat

or if you have Quicksilver installed this is a little more exciting.

set mylist to {"Bob", "Brian", "Mark", "Joshua", "Sarah", "George"} as list

tell application "Quicksilver" to show large type "" & some item of mylist & " has been chosen!"

http://grab.by/5yDT

#8

Hi
this is for any size list in sheet1,gets random name from list and stats and copies to sheet2

tell application "Microsoft Excel"
	launch
	set destRange to range "A1" of sheet "Sheet2" of active workbook
	activate object worksheet "Sheet1"
	set columnToTest to range "a:a" of active sheet -- list column
	set cellCount to count of cells of columnToTest
	set usedRanges to used range of worksheet object of columnToTest
	set rowsCount to first row index of (get end cell cellCount of columnToTest direction toward the top)
	set randomNumber to (random number from 1 to rowsCount) as integer
	set gotNumber1 to randomNumber
	try
		set range1 to range ("a" & gotNumber1)
		set range2 to range ("p" & gotNumber1) --b to p data for list
		set range3 to (get address of range1) & ":" & (get address of range2)
		copy range range range3 destination destRange
	end try
end tell

hope this helps
bills