How to Edit Defined Names in Excel?

If you’re looking for an easy way to keep track of your data in Excel, then you’ve come to the right place. Editing defined names in Excel can help you quickly and easily organize your information, making it easier to find and reference. In this article, we’ll discuss how to edit defined names in Excel and how you can use them to your advantage. With just a few simple steps, you can be on your way to a more organized and efficient Excel spreadsheet.

Editing Defined Names in Excel

Defined names are used in Microsoft Excel to provide labels for cells or ranges of cells. By creating defined names, users can quickly reference the specific cells or ranges in formulas or other functions. This article will provide users with a step-by-step guide on how to edit defined names in Excel.

Creating Defined Names in Excel

Before editing a defined name in Excel, users must first know how to create them. To create a defined name in Excel, first select the cell or range of cells that you want to name. Then, on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon, click on the “Defined Names” button and select “Define Name”. Enter a name in the “Name” field and then click “OK” to finish.

Once the defined name is created, users can quickly reference the cell or range in formulas or other functions. For example, if a user creates a defined name for a range of cells, they can quickly reference the range in a formula by typing the defined name.

Editing Defined Names in Excel

To edit a defined name in Excel, first select the cell or range of cells that you want to change the name for. Then, on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon, click on the “Defined Names” button and select “Edit Name”. This will open the “Name Manager” dialog box, where users can edit the name of the defined name.

In the “Name Manager” dialog box, users can also edit the range of cells that the defined name refers to by selecting the “Refers To” field and updating the range of cells. They can also delete the defined name by selecting the “Delete” button.

Renaming Defined Names in Excel

To rename a defined name in Excel, first select the cell or range of cells that you want to rename. Then, on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon, click on the “Defined Names” button and select “Rename”. This will open the “Name Manager” dialog box, where users can enter a new name for the defined name.

In the “Name Manager” dialog box, users can also rename the range of cells that the defined name refers to by selecting the “Refers To” field and entering the new range. They can also delete the defined name by selecting the “Delete” button.

Copying Defined Names in Excel

To copy a defined name in Excel, first select the cell or range of cells that you want to copy. Then, on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon, click on the “Defined Names” button and select “Copy”. This will open the “Name Manager” dialog box, where users can enter the name of the defined name that they want to copy.

In the “Name Manager” dialog box, users can also copy the range of cells that the defined name refers to by selecting the “Refers To” field and entering the new range. They can also delete the defined name by selecting the “Delete” button.

Sorting Defined Names in Excel

To sort defined names in Excel, first select the cell or range of cells that you want to sort. Then, on the Formulas tab in the Ribbon, click on the “Defined Names” button and select “Sort”. This will open the “Name Manager” dialog box, where users can select the “Sort By” field and choose how to sort the defined names.

In the “Name Manager” dialog box, users can also change the range of cells that the defined name refers to by selecting the “Refers To” field and entering the new range. They can also delete the defined name by selecting the “Delete” button.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Defined Name in Excel?

A Defined Name in Excel is a descriptive name given to a cell or range of cells for easy reference. Excel defined names make it easier to remember what a cell or range of cells contains, and also makes formulas in Excel easier to read and understand. For example, if you have a range of cells on a worksheet that contain sales figures, you could give that range the name “Sales”. Then, when you use the range in a formula, you could reference it as “Sales” instead of the cell range address.

How Do I Create or Edit a Defined Name?

Creating or editing a Defined Name in Excel is simple. First, select the cell or range of cells you want to create a name for. Then, go to the Formulas tab and click the “Define Name” button. This will open the “New Name” dialog box. Here you can give your name a descriptive name and/or set a comment for the name. You can also choose to make the name visible to other workbooks by selecting the “Workbook” option. Once you have entered the information for your name, click “OK” and the name is created.

How Do I Edit an Existing Defined Name?

To edit an existing defined name, go to the Formulas tab and click the “Name Manager” button. This will open the “Name Manager” dialog box. Here you can view all of the defined names that are currently used in your workbook. To edit an existing name, simply select it and then click the “Edit” button. You can then edit the name, comment, and/or make it visible to other workbooks. Once you have finished making your changes, click “OK” and the name will be updated.

Can I Delete a Defined Name?

Yes, you can delete a defined name. To do so, open the “Name Manager” dialog box (as described above). Select the name you want to delete and click the “Delete” button. This will delete the name from your workbook.

Are Defined Names Case Sensitive?

No, defined names are not case sensitive. For example, if you create a name called “Sales”, you can reference it as “sales”, “SALES”, or any other combination of upper and lower case letters. However, if you create two names with the same name but different cases (e.g. “Sales” and “sales”), Excel will treat them as different names.

Are Defined Names Visible in Other Workbooks?

No, by default, defined names are not visible in other workbooks. However, when creating or editing a name, you can choose to make the name visible to other workbooks by selecting the “Workbook” option. This will allow you to use the name in other workbooks.

Editing defined names in Microsoft Excel can be a great way to improve the usability of your spreadsheets. With a few simple steps, you can quickly rename and organize your data, making it easier to find and use. By taking the time to understand how to work with defined names, you can make Excel a much more powerful and efficient tool for your data analysis needs.