{smcl}
{* 9sep2006}{...}
{hline}
help for {hi:randid}{right: El }
{hline}

{title:Random ID}

{p 8 17 2}
{cmdab:randid} {it:newid} {cmd:=} {it:oldid} {cmd:,} [ {cmdab:r:ange(}{it:min} [{it:max}]{cmd:)} {cmdab:s:ave} ]
 
{title:Description}

{phang} {cmd:randid} matches a unique random value to each unique value of {it:oldid}, and populates {it:newid} with these values.
In other words, it creates an anonymous ID variable, based on a meaningful one. {it:newid} will always contain integers.

{title:Options}

{phang}{cmdab:r:ange()} can specify the minimum and maximum values for the new ID variable. If {cmdab:r:ange()} is not specified, the IDs will be numbered consecutively from 1. If {cmdab:r:ange()} is specified as {it:min} only, 
{it:newid} will range from the specified number, up to the the largest number with the same number of digits. E.g., if {cmdab:r:ange(100)} (or {cmdab:r:ange(352)}) is specified, IDs will be generated from there up to 999.

{phang}{cmdab:s:ave} prompts the user to save a copy of the crosswalk between {it:newid} and {it:oldid}.

{title:Also see}

{pstd}Contact: {browse "mailto:elliott.lowy@va.gov":Elliott Lowy}