By using names, you can make your formulas much easier to understand and maintain. You can define a name for a cell range, function, constant, or table. Once you adopt the practice of using names in your workbook, you can easily update, audit, and manage these names.
In modern versions of Excel, defined names can also be used with dynamic array formulas and functions such as LETÂ and LAMBDAÂ to create more flexible and reusable calculations.
Name a cell
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Select a cell.
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In the Name Box, type a name.
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Press Enter.
To reference this value in another table, type the equal sign (=) and the Name, then select Enter.Â
Define names from a selected range
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Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels.
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Select Formulas > Create from Selection.
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In the Create Names from Selection dialog box, designate the location that contains the labels by selecting the Top row, Left column, Bottom row, or Right column check box.
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Select OK.
Excel names the cells based on the labels in the range you designated.
Use names in formulas
Names can be combined with dynamic array formulas, allowing results to spill across multiple cells while maintaining clear and readable formulas.
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Select a cell and enter a formula.
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Place the cursor where you want to use the name in that formula.
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Type the first letter of the name, and select the name from the list that appears.
Or, select Formulas > Use in Formula and select the name you want to use.
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Press Enter.
Manage names in your workbook with Name Manager
You can also use names to define reusable formulas (for example, using LET​​​​​​​ or LAMBDA functions), which can simplify complex calculations and reduce repetition across a workbook.
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On the ribbon, go to Formulas >Â Name Manager. You can then create, edit, delete, and find all the names used in the workbook.
Name a cell
-
Select a cell.
-
In the Name Box, type a name.
-
Press Enter.
Define names from a selected range
-
Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels.
-
Select Formulas > Create from Selection.
-
In the Create Names from Selection dialog box, designate the location that contains the labels by selecting the Top row, Left column, Bottom row, or Right column check box.
-
Select OK.
Excel names the cells based on the labels in the range you designated.
Use names in formulas
Names can be combined with dynamic array formulas, allowing results to spill across multiple cells while maintaining clear and readable formulas.
-
Select a cell and enter a formula.
-
Place the cursor where you want to use the name in that formula.
-
Type the first letter of the name, and select the name from the list that appears.
Or, select Formulas > Use in Formula and select the name you want to use.
-
Press Enter.
Manage names in your workbook with Name Manager
You can also use names to define reusable formulas (for example, using LET or LAMBDA functions), which can simplify complex calculations and reduce repetition across a workbook.
-
On the Ribbon, go to Formulas > Defined Names > Name Manager. You can then create, edit, delete, and find all the names used in the workbook.
Name a cell
-
Select a cell.
-
In the Name Box, type a name.
-
Press Enter.
Define names from a selected range
-
Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels.
-
In the Name Box, type a name. Press Enter.
Excel names the cells based on the labels in the range you designated.
Manage names in your workbook with Name Manager
You can also use names to define reusable formulas (for example, using LET​​​​​​​ or LAMBDA functions), which can simplify complex calculations and reduce repetition across a workbook.
-
On the ribbon, go to Formulas >Â Name Manager. You can then create, edit, delete, and find all the names used in the workbook.
Defined names continue to be an important feature when working with advanced tools such as PivotTables, the Data Model, and Power BI.
Need more help?
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in Communities.
See also
Why am I seeing the Name Conflict dialog box in Excel?
Insert a named range into a formula in Excel
Use the Name Manager in ExcelÂ
Learn more about names in formulas
Apply named ranges to an existing formula
Use structured references in Excel table formulas
