Define name

The name can contain:

–Letters.

–Digits (cannot be used at the beginning of the name).

–Characters: _ (underscore); \ (backslash); . (dot) (cannot be used at the beginning of the name).

You can set the name using a range field (the quick way) or using the Name manager.

Set the name using the range field

Using the range field, you can name a cell, a range of cells, or an array based on a range. The name specified using the range field is global.

To define a name using the range field, follow these steps:

1.Select the cell, range of cells, or array to which you want to assign a name.

2.Enter the name in the range field.

3.To save the name, press Enter. If you want to delete the data entered during the name setting process, press the Esc key.

Define a name using the Name manager

You can use the Name manager to name a cell, cell range, array, constant, or formula.

To define a name using the Name manager, follow these steps:

1.If you want to define a name for a cell, range of cells, or range-based array, select them on the sheet. If you need to define a name for a constant, formula, or array of constants, skip this step.

2.Open the Name manager using one of the following methods:

•On the Data tab, click  Define name.

•On the Sidebar, click Name manager. In the Name manager, click the Define name button.

•When working in macOS, go to the command menu > Data > Define name.

•Right-click on a selected cell, cell range, or array to open the context menu and select Define name.

3.In the Name manager, enter the information to define a name:

–In the Name field, specify the name of the cell, range, array, constant, or formula, or leave the default name. By default, the name [Name_n] is assigned, where n is the ordinal number of the named element.

–If you create a name for a cell, range of cells, or array based on a range, the Reference field automatically generates a reference to the cell, range, or array selected in the first step. If needed, you can edit the reference manually or select another cell or range on the sheet with the mouse so that the reference is edited automatically. If you are creating a name for a constant, formula, or constant array, enter the required information manually in the Reference field.

–In the drop-down list, specify where the name will be used: on all sheets of the spreadsheet or on a specific sheet.

4.Click Done or press Enter.

The defined name will appear in the Name manager list.