Select random objects from a list by PowerShell

I run a giveaway campaign recently.

After the campaign end, I will have to select a winner.

In the beginning, I was thinking that open a book on the random page to select a winner. However, it is not professional, and it cannot be recorded.

So, I decide to write a PowerShell script for it. I am surprised that it is so simple!

Here is the code


# Random select winner(s) from a CSV list
# Import File path
$importPath = "C:\yourCSVfile.csv"

# Number of winners
$count = 1

$list = Import-Csv -Path $importPath | select -ExpandProperty Email

# Select random object
$winner = Get-Random -InputObject $list -Count $count

$date = Get-Date

Write-Host "The Winner(s): $winner. Selected on $date." -ForegroundColor Green

First, you will need a CSV file that contains the email list. The header is called “Email.” You can call it whatever you want as long as it matches the name in line 8.

emaillist

Get-Random is the cmdlet to select an object randomly. You can also have the multiple winners by changing the count value.

Here is the result.

winner_censored