I run an online business, and would like to conduct a simple lucky
draw for my existing customers. THe mechanics goes like this :
purchase a certain amount to qualify for the draw. ie. $150 entitles
to one chance. $300 entitles 2 chances.

The data of customers and purchase amount are available in the MS
access database linked to my website.

1) How do i electronically select a random winner? any free software?
or MS excel has a function *sorry i'm not so sure*
2) How do I ensure transparency in the draw?

I run a homebased biz but would like to make it look as professional as it is. 

Please suggest any mechanisms of lucky draw contests if any.

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 04 Oct 2006 10:12 PDT

Howdy dclxvi-ga,

It might help researchers to know the country in which the business is based.

In MS Excel, type in:

B1: Name
C1: Amount
D1: Chances
E1: Chance
F1: Total
G1: =SUM(D:D)

A2: 0 (zero)
D2: =ROUND(C2/150,0)  note: the 150 is the amount that earns 1 chance
E2: =D2/$G$1
F2: winning
G2: =RAND()

A3: =A2+E2
F3: winner
G3:=VLOOKUP(G2,A:B,2,TRUE)

Now, paste in all of the Name and Amount information starting in B2.

Copy the formulas from D2, E2, and A3 down to the bottom of each
column to where your list ends.

Press F9 to make the draw.

The winner name shows up in G3.

Here is an example of what mine looks like:

		Name	Amount	Chances	Chance		Total	11
0		joe	150	1	0.090909091	winning	0.318761422
0.090909091	henry	300	2	0.181818182	winner	eliza
0.272727273	eliza	450	3	0.272727273		
0.545454545	charlie	275	2	0.181818182		
0.727272727	peter	300	2	0.181818182		
0.909090909	frank	200	1	0.090909091		


but remember, colums A, D, and E are calculated numbers.