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How to generate or list all possible permutations in Excel?

For example, I have three characters XYZ, now, I want to list all possible permutations based on these three characters to get six different results as this: XYZ, XZY, YXZ, YZX, ZXY and ZYX. In Excel, how could you quickly generate or list all permutations based on different number of characters?

Generate or list all possible permutations based on characters with VBA code

arrow blue right bubble Generate or list all possible permutations based on characters with VBA code

The following VBA code may help you to list all permutations based on your specific number of letters please do as follows:

1. Hold down the ALT + F11 keys to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Click Insert > Module, and paste the following code in the Module Window.

VBA code: List all possible permutations in excel

Sub GetString()
'Updateby Extendoffice
    Dim xStr As String
    Dim FRow As Long
    Dim xScreen As Boolean
    xScreen = Application.ScreenUpdating
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    xStr = Application.InputBox("Enter text to permute:", "Kutools for Excel", , , , , , 2)
    If Len(xStr) < 2 Then Exit Sub
    If Len(xStr) >= 8 Then
        MsgBox "Too many permutations!", vbInformation, "Kutools for Excel"
        Exit Sub
    Else
        ActiveSheet.Columns(1).Clear
        FRow = 1
        Call GetPermutation("", xStr, FRow)
    End If
    Application.ScreenUpdating = xScreen
End Sub
Sub GetPermutation(Str1 As String, Str2 As String, ByRef xRow As Long)
    Dim i As Integer, xLen As Integer
    xLen = Len(Str2)
    If xLen < 2 Then
        Range("A" & xRow) = Str1 & Str2
        xRow = xRow + 1
    Else
        For i = 1 To xLen
            Call GetPermutation(Str1 + Mid(Str2, i, 1), Left(Str2, i - 1) + Right(Str2, xLen - i), xRow)
        Next
    End If
End Sub

3. Then press F5 key to run this code, and a prompt box is popped out to remind you enter the characters that you want to list all permutations, see screenshot:

doc list permutations 1

4. After entering the characters, and then click OK button, all the possible permutations are displayed in column A of active worksheet. See screenshot:

doc list permutations 2

Note: If the entered character length is equal or greater than 8 characters, this code will not work because there are too many permutations.

doc list permutations 3

List or generate all possible combinations from multiple columns

If you need to generate all possible combinations based on multiple columns data, maybe, there is not a good way for dealing with the task. But, Kutools for Excel's List All Combinations utility can help you to list all possible combinations quickly and easily. Click to download Kutools for Excel!

doc list all combinations

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Comments (13)
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Mateus
Mateus
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Olá !

Como faço para gerar pelo menos 10 permutações ?
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skyyang
skyyang     Mateus
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
Hello, Mateus,
To solve your problem, please apply the below code:(Note: if there are more than 8 characters, the code will execute slowly.)
Sub GetString()
'Updateby Extendoffice
    Dim xStr As String
    Dim FRow As Long
    Dim FC As Integer
    Dim xScreen As Boolean
    Dim xNumber As Long
    xNumber = 10 ' This is the max length of the characters you can change it to 11, 12, 13...as you need
    xScreen = Application.ScreenUpdating
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    xStr = Application.InputBox("Enter text to permute:", "Kutools for Excel", , , , , , 2)
    If Len(xStr) < 2 Then Exit Sub
    If Len(xStr) > xNumber Then
        MsgBox "Too many permutations!", vbInformation, "Kutools for Excel"
        Exit Sub
    Else
        ActiveSheet.Columns(1).Clear
        FRow = 1
        FC = 1
        Call GetPermutation("", xStr, FRow, FC)
    End If
    Application.ScreenUpdating = xScreen
End Sub
Sub GetPermutation(Str1 As String, Str2 As String, ByRef xRow As Long, ByRef xc As Integer)
    Dim i As Integer, xLen As Integer
    xLen = Len(Str2)
    If xLen < 2 Then
        If xRow > 1000000 Then
            xc = xc + 1
            xRow = 1
        End If
       ActiveSheet.Cells(xRow, xc) = Str1 & Str2
        xRow = xRow + 1
    Else
        For i = 1 To xLen
            Call GetPermutation(Str1 + Mid(Str2, i, 1), Left(Str2, i - 1) + Right(Str2, xLen - i), xRow, xc)
        Next
    End If
End Sub


Please have a try, hope it can help you!
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DVdm
DVdm
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Hi there, if the input string contains duplicate chars, then the sub produces duplicate permutations.
This does not happen if you make the following modification the the loop:

' ==========================
For i = 1 To xLen
If Instr( Left(Str2, i - 1), Mid(Str2, i, 1) ) = 0 then
Call GetPermutation(Str1 + Mid(Str2, i, 1), Left(Str2, i - 1) + Right(Str2, xLen - i), xRow)
End if
Next
' ==========================

Creating temporary local variables for Mid(Str2, i, 1) and for Left(Str2, i - 1), and avoiding the test for i=1 makes it go faster:


' ==========================
Sub GetPermutation(Str1 As String, Str2 As String, ByRef xRow As Long)
Dim i As Integer, xLen As Integer, Str2left as String, c as String
xLen = Len(Str2)
If xLen < 2 Then
Range("A" & xRow) = Str1 & Str2
xRow = xRow + 1
Else
Call GetPermutation(Str1 + Mid(Str2, 1, 1), Right(Str2, xLen - 1), xRow)
For i = 2 To xLen
c = Mid(Str2, i, 1)
Str2left = Left(Str2, i - 1)
If Instr( Str2left, c ) = 0 then
Call GetPermutation(Str1 + c, Str2left + Right(Str2, xLen - i), xRow)
End If
Next
End If
End Sub
' ==========================

Cheers,
DVdm
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lyto
lyto
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who can send me a list of 10 diferent items permutatted by 2 outcomes. this code doe

snt work on this
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ilhan
ilhan
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peki bunu listeleyecek bir program uygulama yok mu?basit sıradan bir hesaplamadan daha fazlasına ihtiyacı olan ne yapacak?
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MC
MC
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this code will not work because there are two many permutations


should be:

this code will not work because there are too many permutations


HTH
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skyyang
skyyang     MC
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Hello, MC,
Thank you for your warm reminder, it is my mistake. I have corrected it.
Thanks a lot!
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Paul
Paul
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Hello everyone. I need help on this. I have two alphabets to be permutated in 20 rows. But am not getting it right. Anyone who could help me out should send the permutation to my email. .


1.a b b a
2.a a b b
3.a a b b
4.a a b b
5.a a b b
6.a a b b
7.a a b b
8.a a b b
9.a a b b
10.a a b b
11.a a b b
12.a a b b
13.a a b b
14.a a b b
15.a a b b
16.a a b b
17.a a b b
18.a a b b
19.a a b b
20.a a b b
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Wule
Wule
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How many sequences of 3things can be formed from 7 different things replacement and order is important?
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Guest
Guest     Wule
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3 to the power of 7: 2187
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declankeogh01@gmail.com
This comment was minimized by the moderator on the site
@Supraja...

in the first sub clear all cells... not just the first row
--Cells.Clear

Sub GetPermutation(Str1 As String, Str2 As String, ByRef xRow As Long)
Dim i As Integer, xLen As Integer
xLen = Len(Str2)
If xLen < 2 Then
'move to the next column when you get to 100
Cells(((xRow - 1) Mod 100) + 1, 1 + Int(xRow / 100)) = Str1 & Str2
xRow = xRow + 1
Else
For i = 1 To xLen
Call GetPermutation(Str1 + Mid(Str2, i, 1), Left(Str2, i - 1) + Right(Str2, xLen - i), xRow)
Next
End If
End Sub
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Supraja
Supraja
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Hello,

Im trying to get a permutation for 82 characters, the code provided works, but, since the columns are only 1048576, I want to move the next output in B,C,D..... Can any of you help me on this regard
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Terence
Terence
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Hello, Im doing a small project using permutation and combination rules. I need your support on this please. Scenario: I have 13 digit alpha numeric data (00SHGO8BJIDG0) I want a coding to interchange S to 5, I to 1 and O to 0 and vise versa. The project is that if I have the correct 13 digit data I will receive a 3 digit pass code. (eg) 00SHG08BJ1DG0 - 500 is the pass code but because of wrong typo that is instead of 1 it was I and 0 it was O there is a wrong info. can you please help me.
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