Query for specific amount of records

[ortizimo]

I made a program for studying for certs. It uses flashcards answers only and also multiple choice and can randomize all 600 questions in it, but I would like to create a mini test of random questions and only select 75 questions out of the total of 600 available. I don't think I'm asking the interwebs the right verbiage since I cant seem to find something similar to what I need. This is what I use to randomize my questions in my query table:

Expr1: Rnd([tblQuestion]![id])

Any help is appreciated.

[Micron]

Try using the TOP predicate. No idea what your query or data looks like so can't say if that will work (as in not return the same 75 records each time).
e.g. SELECT TOP 75

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...2-3d0bd1a95b07

[ranman256]

I use a collection object, this way you wont get repeat randoms.
It takes the table, reads all the INDEX into the collection
randomly picks 1 record, then removes it from list so it cant be picked again
sets the Order# on the table
repeats until the list is complete.

   'this code marks  records then flags that many records to be used.
Public Sub RandomOrder()
Dim iTot As Long, iRec As Long
Dim iSample As Integer
Dim sTbl As String, sSql As String
Dim rst  'As Recordset
Dim i As Long
Dim iRnd As Long, lNdx As Long
Dim coll As New Collection
Dim sKey As String


DoCmd.SetWarnings False
sTbl = "[tNAMES]"


   'clear the order#
sSql = "update " & sTbl & " set [OrderNum] = null"
DoCmd.RunSQL sSql


  '===================================
  'collect all keys to alter their order
  '===================================
Set rst = CurrentDb.OpenRecordset("select [ClientID] from " & sTbl)
With rst
   While Not .EOF
       sKey = rst.Fields(0).value & ""
       coll.Add sKey, sKey
       
       .MoveNext
   Wend
End With
Set rst = Nothing


  '===================================
   'pick key at random then set new order for it
  '===================================
i = 0
While coll.Count > 0
    i = i + 1
    iRnd = Int(coll.Count * Rnd + 1)
    'Debug.Print iRnd
    
    sKey = coll(iRnd)
    lNdx = CLng(sKey)
    sSql = "update " & sTbl & " set [OrderNum] = " & i & " where [ClientID]= " & lNdx
    DoCmd.RunSQL sSql


    coll.Remove sKey
nextNum:
Wend


DoCmd.SetWarnings True
DoCmd.OpenTable sTbl
MsgBox "done"
Set coll = Nothing
Exit Sub
Resume nextNum
End Sub

[ortizimo]

thnx...ill try both!

[ortizimo]

Before closing this thread...FYI, in your query you can add the amount of items to be randomly picked from a total pool. Under Query Design > Return: XXX and just enter the number you want returned or a %. For random picks enter a blank field in the query and in it enter: Rnd([tblQuestion]![id])