Seat allocation formula

[proficient]

I need a formula for seat allocation at an event.

The event has 5 tables and I want a formula that secures an allocation of seats for each attendee based on a simple excel list of contacts.
The room has 5 tables and all delegates (50) are seated at the tables simultaneously. (10 per table)

Each attendee must visit all tables (numbers 1-5) during the day but should be sitting with a new group of people at all times.

 

[Herakles]

There is not an Excel formula that will do all of this or you.

It would need to be done using VBA.

Would you be willing to dispense with either of the criteria to simply the process?

Could you have more tables?

 

[Legacy 143009]

I am watching this post just for curiosity. It's like round robin algorithm with more than 2 elements to match. I searched the web and found nothing like this. I am looking forward to see the result.

 

[Herakles]

I've given it a go but as there is a one in five chance of being allocated a seat on a particular table
the chance of being at a table with someone more than once is high.

On top of this someone cannot sit on the same table more than once.

I'd love to see someone crack this one because I'm stuck at the moment.

 

[Legacy 143009]

Yes, also you can't distribute 10 person in a table each to 5 tables on the next round according to pigeon hole theroem without overlapping some of them.

This is quite impossible. I am looking forward to hear more from the original poster.

 

[Herakles]

I generated a unique random number between 1 and 50 (representing the 50 people) and then tried to allocate each person a seat going through each sitting and table in turn.

As soon as getting to the 5th table on the second sitting I came across problems.