Microsoft Excel Tutorial - How to Define a range name

Define a Range Name

Introduction:

Excel's default range names don't readily identify a range's contents. To clarify your data, you can assign range names. It's much easier to refer to your data by a name than with a meaningless cell address. For example, a range named Sales_Totals is a lot easier to decipher than B2:F1. The formula =INCOME-EXPENSE is easier to understand than =B8:B24-C8:C24. Giving ranges recognizable names will make your formulas easier to follow.

Step 1: Select a Range

To name a range, first select the range in the worksheet.

Step 2: Click the Name Box

Click inside the Name box located at the far left end of the Formula bar.

Step 3: Type a Name

Type a name for the range. Names must begin with a letter or an underscore (_), and after that you can use any other character. Don't use spaces. Use the underscore (_) instead, or a period (.).

Step 4: Press Enter

Press Enter when finished typing in a range name. The name appears in place of the cell reference in the Name box when the range is selected in the worksheet.

Step 5: Go to the Range

To jump to the named range from anywhere in the workbook, click the drop-down arrow next to the Name box and click the range name in the list.

Step 6: Use the Define Name Box

Another way to name a range or edit an existing range name is to use the Define Name dialog box. Open the Insert menu and select Name, Define. In the Define Name box, you can enter a new range name, enter its cell references and click the Add button, or you can edit an existing name. Click OK to exit the dialog box.

Tutorials - Microsoft Excel

Other Services Available

Useful Information