Typing 30 names one by one is slow. Copy a column from your spreadsheet and paste it into the wheel instead. Each row becomes one entry. It takes about ten seconds.
Method 1: Copy and Paste From Google Sheets
- Open your sheet and click the first cell of the column with the names.
- Select the whole column, or drag over just the cells you need.
- Press Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on a Mac).
- Open the wheel and click in the entries box.
- Press Ctrl+V (Cmd+V). Each name lands on its own line.
- Check the list, then spin.
Method 2: Copy From Excel or Numbers
The steps are the same. Select the column, copy and paste. If the cells hold extra text, like "Smith, John", clean them in the spreadsheet first.
Method 3: Import a CSV or Text File
- Open the entries menu on the wheel.
- Choose Import file (txt/csv).
- Pick your file. It can be up to 1 MB.
If your CSV has several columns, save a copy with only the names column first.
Method 4: From a Document or Email
Paste a list from a document, email or chat. You need one name per line. If names are split by commas, put each on its own line first. In a document, use Find and Replace to change commas into line breaks.
Clean Your List Before You Paste
Remove duplicates
In Google Sheets, go to Data, Data cleanup, Remove duplicates.
Trim extra spaces
Use the TRIM function.
Skip blank rows
The wheel drops blank lines for you, but a clean sheet is easier to check.
Use first names or initials
when you share the screen. It protects privacy.
Keep entries short
Long text is hard to read on a wheel.
More Chances for Some Names
To give a name more chances, list it more than once. In a sheet, copy the row as many times as you need. The total number of lines is what counts.
Pasting a Big List
The wheel takes up to 10,000 entries, but a wheel with 200 names is hard to read. For a big group, pick a number instead and look up the name in your sheet. Use the number wheel to pick a row number.
Privacy Tips for Class Lists
- Do not paste anything you would not show on the projector.
- Use first names or initials.
- Your list is saved in your browser on this device, so on a shared computer clear the site data when you finish.
- Do not share lists with sensitive details.
Your names are not sent to a server. Read the privacy policy for details.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Everything lands on one line | The text is split by tabs or commas. Put each name on its own row and copy again. |
| Names appear with quotation marks | CSV quotes were copied. Remove them with Find and Replace. |
| Too many entries | Use initials or split the list in two. |
| File will not import | Check it is a txt or csv file under 1 MB. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import names from Google Sheets?
Yes. Copy the column in Sheets and paste it into the entries box. Each row becomes an entry.
Can I upload a CSV file?
Yes. Use Import file (txt/csv) in the entries menu. The file can be up to 1 MB.
How many names can I paste?
Up to 10,000. A shorter list is easier to read.
Are my names saved on your servers?
No. Your list is saved only in your own browser. See the privacy policy.
Can I give some names better odds?
Yes. Add the name more than once.