Splitting a workshop or class into groups is straightforward until the numbers don't divide evenly. You need to decide how many teams to make and where the extra people go.
Random Picker lets you paste a roster and assign people to random teams. Set the number of teams or an approximate number of people per team. The largest and smallest teams will differ by no more than one person.
Choose a team count or a target team size
Choose Number of teams when you need a set number of groups. Choose People per team when you have a target group size.
If the roster size is divisible by the team count, everyone can be in a team of equal size. Otherwise, the app distributes the extra people so the difference is at most one.
| Setting | Example with 10 people | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Three teams | You need exactly three groups | 4, 3 and 3 people |
| Four people per team | You want groups of about four | Three groups with balanced sizes |
1. Paste the names
Open Random Picker and enter one participant per line. You can type the names or paste a prepared list. Empty lines are ignored when assigning teams.
For an Excel or spreadsheet roster, copy the relevant cells and paste them into the app. If you paste multiple columns, select the column containing the names.
The app accepts spreadsheet content through paste; it doesn't import Excel or CSV files directly.
2. Review repeated names
Every non-empty row is a separate entry, even if two rows contain the same name. If you accidentally included someone twice, use the duplicate-removal option. You can undo that cleanup.
Be more careful when two different participants share a name. Labels such as “Alex (Sales)” and “Alex (Support)” make them distinct before you remove repeated entries.
3. Generate and share the teams
Switch to Teams and set either the number of teams or the number of people per team. Check the expected team arrangement shown before running the split.
The result lists the members of each group. You can copy the assignments, or share them using the browser's sharing feature when available. Run the split again to try a different grouping with the same roster.
Equal headcounts don't mean equal skills
Team mode shuffles participants and balances the number of people in each group. It doesn't account for experience, job roles, gender or other participant attributes. If those constraints matter, review the assignments before using them.
Reuse your roster later
Random Picker automatically saves the current list and settings in your browser. You can also save up to 30 named lists. They're stored on the same device and browser, without automatic cross-device syncing.
The app handles names and randomization locally; it doesn't upload the roster. Loading the web page still involves an initial network request. If you explicitly use Share candidates to send someone a link, that person can recover the names from it.
Bear this in mind on a shared computer: your roster may remain in browser storage after you close the page. Clearing the browser's site data can remove saved rosters and settings.
Use the same list for a draw or presentation order
There are also Pick, Order and Wheel modes.
In Pick mode, enabling Remove selected items keeps previous picks out of subsequent draws in that round. Order mode creates a shuffled running order and can reveal participants one at a time.
Wheel mode has a limit of 200 entries. For larger lists, use Pick instead.
Random Picker
Pick winners, randomize order, split teams, or spin a roulette from a candidate list in your browser.
Tips and limitations
- Team sizes differ by no more than one; skills and roles aren't balanced. Review the result if those factors matter.
- If two different people have the same name, add distinguishing labels before removing duplicate entries.
- Rosters can remain in a shared browser. A candidate-sharing link also carries the names, so check recipients before sending it.
Frequently asked questions
Can every team have exactly the same number of people?
Only when the number of participants divides evenly by the team count. With ten people and three teams, the result will have groups of four, three and three.
Can I use an Excel roster?
Yes. Copy and paste the names. For a multi-column selection, choose which column should supply the candidates. Direct Excel and CSV file imports aren't supported.
What if two people have the same name?
They'll be treated as separate entries because they occupy different rows. Add distinguishing information to the names rather than removing a legitimate participant as a duplicate.
How many names can I add?
The candidate list supports up to 10,000 entries. Wheel mode has a separate limit of 200.
Are names uploaded to a server?
No. The app processes the roster in your browser, and it saves your current list locally. A recipient can read the names if you send a candidate-sharing link, so check the contents before sharing.
References
- Random Picker Official README (features, usage and limitations)