VORTEX FIELD NOTES
NAME PICKER DESK
REPORT 03

RANDOM NAMES • PRACTICAL FIELD GUIDE

Random Name Picker Guide

Pick one name without making it personal.

Add every eligible name, check the list, and spin for a visible random result. Use it for turns, volunteers, winners, speakers, players, or the next person up.

Go to the Name Picker Explore Name Picker Wheels
SPIN THE WHEEL LAB
THE RANDOM NAME DESK
NEXT: CHECK THE LIST ↓
Spin the Wheel Lab colorful wheel spinner banner Business version of the Spin the Wheel Lab banner
Lab Biz
NAME DESK NEWS BRIEF
WHAT IT DOES

What is a random name picker?

A random name picker selects one name from a list without requiring someone to choose the person by hand.

Add the eligible names and keep their weights equal when everyone should have the same chance. After each spin, leave the selected name on the wheel if repeats are allowed or eliminate it when each person should be chosen only once.

Student turns Volunteers Giveaway winners Speakers Game players
PICKER WIRE CHECK THE LIST  •  KEEP WEIGHTS EQUAL  •  CHOOSE REPEATS OR ELIMINATION  •  SPIN
HOW RANDOM NAME PICKING WORKS

Four moves. One visible pick.

Define who is eligible, check the list, decide whether names can repeat, and spin where the result can be seen.

01
ELIGIBILITY

Add the right names

Include everyone who qualifies for the turn, role, prize, game, or activity—and nobody who should be outside the draw.

ENTRIES LOADED
02
LIST CHECK

Review every entry

Correct spelling, remove unintended duplicates, and use initials or approved nicknames when the wheel will appear publicly.

LIST VERIFIED
03
PICK RULE

Choose the repeat rule

Leave winners on the wheel when repeat picks are allowed. Turn on Eliminate when each name should be selected only once.

RULE ANNOUNCED
04
LIVE RESULT

Spin and use the pick

Press Spin, let the result appear, and apply the rule you already announced. Record the result when the activity requires it.

PICK COMPLETE
VORTEX PICKER DESK ELIGIBLE NAMES → CLEAN LIST → CLEAR RULE → VISIBLE RESULT
Name Picker Wheel collection banner
NAME PICKER DESK
PICKER BEATS
FIELD EDITION

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PICKING RULE

One name picker. Six different jobs.

The wheel can select a name, but the right setup depends on why you are picking and what should happen after the result appears.

01
CLASSROOM

Student turns

Use the wheel for reading, questions, demonstrations, or class jobs. Explain whether names remain eligible and provide a pressure-free way to pass when appropriate.

02
GIVEAWAYS

Winner drawings

Load only eligible entries, remove unintended duplicates, and announce the deadline, number of winners, and redraw rule before selecting anyone.

03
VOLUNTEERS

Volunteer picks

Ask people to opt in before adding their names. Random selection should choose among willing participants—not turn an unwilling person into a volunteer.

04
MEETINGS

Roles and speakers

Spin for the first speaker, note taker, timekeeper, presenter, or discussion lead. Define the role before selecting the person.

05
GAMES

Players and turns

Keep names on the wheel when anyone may play again. Use Eliminate when every player should receive one turn before the cycle restarts.

06
ORDER

Presentation order

Use Multi-pick with Eliminate to create a sequence of distinct names. Record the order so the group does not need another draw when the next turn begins.

VORTEX COPY DESK DEFINE THE JOB BEFORE THE WHEEL PICKS THE NAME.
Name Picker Information Lab
Fair Team Assignment Guide Giveaway Winner Picker Guide Classroom Name Picker Guide
NEWSROOM EQUIPMENT DESK RANDOM NAME CONSOLE

NAME PICKER CONTROLS

Tune the wheel to match the pick.

Load a full list, control repeat results, choose several names, keep the odds equal, save important picks, or present the wheel on a shared screen.

INPUT 01
BULK ADD

Paste the complete list

Add names on separate lines, paste a spreadsheet column, or import the first column of a CSV, TSV, or TXT file. A wheel can contain up to 1,000 entries.

NAMES → LOADED
FILTER 02
ELIMINATE

Pick without repeats

Turn on Eliminate to remove each selected name before the next round. Leave it off when the same person may be chosen again.

REPEAT RULE → SET
PICK 03
MULTI-PICK

Choose several names

Run several rounds automatically when you need multiple winners, volunteers, speakers, players, or names for a presentation order.

PICK COUNT → READY
ODDS 04
WEIGHTS

Check each name’s chance

Keep all weights equal when every name should have the same chance. Increasing a weight intentionally makes that entry more likely to be selected.

ODDS → CHECKED
RESULT 05
PIN

Keep important results

Pin a selected name to Winner’s Vault when you need to remember a winner or result during the current picking session.

RESULT → PINNED
VIEW 06
OVERLAY

Put the pick on display

Use Overlay Mode for a cleaner view on classroom screens, projectors, meeting displays, livestreams, parties, and events.

DISPLAY → CLEAR

RELATED FIELD REPORTS

Take the name picker somewhere specific.

Choose the next guide based on what the selected names need to do: form teams, participate in class, or win a giveaway.

FIELD REPORT 01
THE PICKER PRESS
TEAM DESK

Fair Team Assignment Guide

Set a team rotation, select names one at a time, prevent repeat assignments, and handle skill or accessibility requirements.

OPEN TEAM GUIDE
FIELD REPORT 02
THE PICKER PRESS
CLASSROOM DESK

Classroom Name Picker Guide

Plan student turns, classroom jobs, review participation, presentation order, and pressure-aware ways to use random picks.

OPEN CLASSROOM GUIDE
FIELD REPORT 03
THE PICKER PRESS
WINNER DESK

Giveaway Winner Picker Guide

Confirm eligible entries, publish the drawing rules, select distinct winners, document results, and manage redraws.

OPEN GIVEAWAY GUIDE
SPIN THE WHEEL LAB • NAME PICKER ARCHIVE ONE PICKER • THREE SPECIAL ASSIGNMENTS
LATE EDITION RANDOM NAME DESK

LIST CHECKED • PICK RULE SET

Ready to pick a name?

Add every eligible name, keep the weights equal, choose whether results can repeat, and let the wheel make the next pick visible.

Go to the Name Picker Explore Name Picker Wheels
SPIN THE WHEEL LAB END OF GUIDE • START OF PICK