How to Creating a Named Range in Excel

Creating a named range in Excel allows you to assign a meaningful name to a specific cell or range of cells, making it easier to reference in formulas or data validation. Here’s how you can create a named range:

Creating a Named Range:

1. Select the Cells:
   • Click and drag to select the cells or range of cells that you want to name.
2. Go to the “Formulas” Tab:
   • Navigate to the “Formulas” tab in the Ribbon at the top of the Excel window.
3. Find the “Defined Names” Group:
   • In the “Defined Names” group, you’ll find an option called “Define Name.”
4. Click “Define Name”:
   • Click on the “Define Name” option. This will open the “New Name” dialog box.
5. Enter a Name:
   • In the “Name” field, enter a meaningful name for your range. Avoid using spaces or special characters (use underscores or camelCase instead).
6. Select the Scope:
   • Choose the scope for the named range. By default, it is set to “Workbook,” which means the name is available throughout the entire workbook.
7. Specify the Range:
   • In the “Refers to” field, you’ll see the reference to the selected cells. If it’s not automatically filled, enter the reference manually.
8. Click “OK”:
   • Click the “OK” button to create the named range.

Using a Named Range in Formulas:

Once you’ve created a named range, you can use it in formulas. For example, if you named the range “MyRange” and it refers to cells A1:B10, you can use it in a formula like this:

Managing Named Ranges:

To manage named ranges:

1. Go to the “Formulas” Tab:
   • Navigate to the “Formulas” tab in the Ribbon.
2. Find the “Name Manager” Option:
   • In the “Defined Names” group, look for the “Name Manager” option. Click on it to open the “Name Manager” dialog box.
3. Edit or Delete Named Ranges:
   • In the “Name Manager” dialog box, you can edit or delete existing named ranges.

Creating named ranges in Excel is a helpful practice for better organization and improved readability of your formulas. It also makes your formulas more dynamic, as you can easily update the range without changing every reference individually.