Introduction

A random picker allocates selections from a list you provide, ensuring every entry receives an identical probability in each draw. It supports classroom raffles, giveaway winners, or project task assignments without manual shuffling. Because the algorithm rejects bias, participants trust the outcome more than handwritten draws or spreadsheet formulas. You control the pool size and duplicate rules through straightforward inputs.

The picker runs entirely in your browser, using a reactive interface that updates results instantly when any option changes. Drag‑and‑drop accepts plain‑text lists, and advanced toggles refine blank handling, uniqueness, and duplicate removal before generating candidates. Animated reveals show each winner sequentially, while a clipboard button exports the final picks for sharing or record keeping.

Use this picker to assign speaking slots, raffle prizes, or daily chores effortlessly, but avoid relying on it for legally binding lotteries or high‑stakes gambling.

Technical Details:

The tool is fully client‑side, so your entries never leave the browser. A lightweight reactive engine binds your inputs to the drawing logic, updates the user interface in real time, and records draws in memory.

Feature Breakdown

Drag‑and‑drop import

Drop a “participants.txt” file to replace the list instantly. Example: loading a 300‑name roster saves manual typing. Caution: very large files may slow older devices.

Unique draws

Enable “Pick only once per item” to avoid repeat winners. Example: classroom raffle where each student wins once. Caution: disable it when duplicates are acceptable.

Duplicate remover

Select “Remove duplicate entries” to collapse identical lines before drawing. Example: merges repeated survey responses. Caution: uncheck when entry frequency influences probability.

Animated reveal

The picker displays each winner with a 200 ms delay for suspense. Example: live‑stream giveaways feel engaging. Caution: animation pauses if the tab loses focus.

History log

The interface stores ten previous draws with timestamps. Example: referencing earlier teams during a tournament. Caution: refreshing the page clears history permanently.

Clipboard copy

Click “Copy to clipboard” to export winners as plain text. Example: paste into a chat immediately. Caution: browser permissions may block copying in incognito modes.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps for a quick, fair draw.

1. Paste or type your candidates into the Items List textarea.
2. Enter the desired quantity in the Number of picks field.
3. Press the Pick Randomly button and watch the animated reveal.
4. Tap Copy to clipboard to save the winners for sharing.
5. Open the Advanced panel and toggle Unique, Ignore blank lines, or Remove duplicates for stricter control.
6. Use Import list to load a file or Export list to download a backup.

FAQ:

Find quick answers to common concerns.

Is my data stored?

Your list and history stay only in local memory and disappear once you refresh or close the tab.

Can I draw more winners than entries?

The picker limits selections to available candidates when the unique option is active to prevent empty results.

Why is the copy button disabled?

The button activates after at least one draw is complete to ensure meaningful content exists.

What file types can I import?

Plain‑text files with .txt or .csv extensions load without additional formatting.

How many history items are saved?

The tool keeps the ten most recent draws to balance usefulness with performance.

Troubleshooting:

Resolve typical issues quickly.

• Imported text shows strange symbols – Ensure the file is UTF‑8 encoded before dragging it in.
• Nothing happens after clicking pick – Check that the list contains at least one non‑blank line.
• Winners repeat despite unique mode – Duplicated names in the source list may still match; remove duplicates first.
• Copy fails in a secure browser – Grant clipboard permission or use the context menu manually.
• Performance lags with huge lists – Split very large datasets or clear history to free memory.

Advanced Tips:

Enhance your sessions with expert techniques.

• Shuffle visible picks alphabetically by enabling Sort picks alphabetically after the reveal.
• Bookmark the page with query parameters to pre‑load a specific list for recurring events.
• Combine unique mode with duplicate removal for one‑time prize distributions.
• Export lists after each event as dated backups for audit trails.
• Run the picker on an offline machine for complete isolation at high‑profile draws.

Glossary:

Clarify technical terms used throughout the guide.

Candidate

An entry eligible for selection.

Draw

A single execution of the random selection process.

Unique mode

Setting that removes already chosen entries from future draws.

Clipboard

Temporary storage area for copied text.

Drag‑and‑drop

Interaction where a file is moved onto the browser window to upload its content.