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Mar 2, 2021 · I am using the Excel Stock function to monitor prices on various stocks, ETFs and Funds. Looking up Stocks seems relatively straightforward but finding other types of item such as a fund or an ETF is a massive hit and miss.
- Overview
- Learn more about using names
- Learn about syntax rules for names
- Define a name for a cell or cell range on a worksheet
- Define a name by using a selection of cells in the worksheet
- Define a name by using the New Name dialog box
- Manage names by using the Name Manager dialog box
- Change a name
- Delete one or more names
- Need more help?
A name is a meaningful shorthand that makes it easier to understand the purpose of a cell reference, constant, formula, or table, each of which may be difficult to understand at first glance. The following information shows common examples of names and how they can improve clarity.
Types of names
There are several types of names you can create and use. Defined name A name representing a cell, range of cells, formula, or constant value. You can create your own defined name, or Excel can create a defined name for you, such as when you set a print area. Table name A name for an Excel table, which is a collection of data about a particular subject stored in records (rows) and fields (columns). Excel creates a default Excel table name of Table1, Table2, and so on, each time you insert an Excel table. You can change a table's name to make it more meaningful. For more information about Excel tables, see Using structured references with Excel tables.
The scope of a name
All names have a scope, either to a specific worksheet (also called the local worksheet level) or to the entire workbook (also called the global workbook level). The scope of a name is the location within which the name is recognized without qualification. For example: •If you have defined a name, such as Budget_FY08, and its scope is Sheet1, that name, if not qualified, is recognized only in Sheet1, but not in other sheets. To use a local worksheet name in another worksheet, you can qualify it by preceding it with the worksheet name. For example: Sheet1!Budget_FY08 •If you have defined a name, such as Sales_Dept_Goals, and its scope is the workbook, that name is recognized for all worksheets in that workbook, but not other workbooks.
Defining and entering names
You define a name by using the: •Defined Names box on the formula bar This is best used for creating a workbook level name for a selected range. •Define name from selection You can conveniently create names from existing row and column labels by using a selection of cells in the worksheet. •New Name dialog box This is best used for when you want more flexibility in creating names, such as specifying a local worksheet level scope or creating a name comment. Note: By default, names use absolute cell references. You can enter a name by: •Typing Typing the name, for example, as an argument to a formula. •Using Formula AutoComplete Use the Formula AutoComplete drop-down list, where valid names are automatically listed for you. •Selecting from the Use in Formula command Select a defined name from a list available from the Use in Formula command in the Defined Names group on the Formulas tab.
The following is a list of syntax rules for creating and editing names.
•Valid characters The first character of a name must be a letter, an underscore character (_), or a backslash (\). Remaining characters in the name can be letters, numbers, periods, and underscore characters.
Tip: You cannot use the uppercase and lowercase characters "C", "c", "R", or "r" as a defined name, because they are used as shorthand for selecting a row or column for the currently selected cell when you enter them in a Name or Go To text box.
•Cell references disallowed Names cannot be the same as a cell reference, such as Z$100 or R1C1.
•Spaces are not valid Spaces are not allowed as part of a name. Use the underscore character (_) and period (.) as word separators, such as, Sales_Tax or First.Quarter.
•Name length A name can contain up to 255 characters.
1.Select the cell, range of cells, or nonadjacent selections that you want to name.
2.Click the Name box at the left end of the formula bar.
Name box
3.Type the name you want to use to refer to your selection. Names can be up to 255 characters in length.
You can convert existing row and column labels to names.
1.Select the range you want to name, including the row or column labels.
2.On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Create from Selection.
3.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. A name created by using this procedure refers only to the cells that contain values and excludes the existing row and column labels.
1.On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Define Name.
2.In the New Name dialog box, in the Name box, type the name you want to use for your reference.
Note: Names can be up to 255 characters in length.
3.To specify the scope of the name, in the Scope drop-down list box, select Workbook or the name of a worksheet in the workbook.
4.Optionally, in the Comment box, enter a descriptive comment up to 255 characters.
5.In the Refers to box, do one of the following:
Use the Name Manager dialog box to work with all the defined names and table names in a workbook. For example, you may want to find names with errors, confirm the value and reference of a name, view or edit descriptive comments, or determine the scope. You can also sort and filter the list of names, and easily add, change, or delete names from one location.
To open the Name Manager dialog box, on the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Name Manager.
If you change a defined name or table name, all uses of that name in the workbook are also changed.
1.On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Name Manager.
2.In the Name Manager dialog box, click the name that you want to change, and then click Edit.
Tip: You can also double-click the name.
3.In the Edit Name dialog box, in the Name box, type the new name for the reference.
4.In the Refers to box, change the reference, and then click OK.
1.On the Formulas tab, in the Defined Names group, click Name Manager.
2.In the Name Manager dialog box, click the name that you want to change.
3.Select one or more names by doing one of the following:
•To select a name, click it.
•To select more than one name in a contiguous group, click and drag the names, or press SHIFT and click the mouse button for each name in the group.
•To select more than one name in a noncontiguous group, press CTRL and click the mouse button for each name in the group.
You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in Communities.
May 16, 2022 · If you need stock market data for your spreadsheet, you can save time and get up-to-date information with the built-in Stocks data type in Microsoft Excel. Here's how to populate your sheet with details like ticker symbols, market caps, previous close, and more.
Dec 7, 2017 · In Excel, you can create names that refer to cells, or to a constant value, or a formula. After you create Excel names, you can use them in formulas, or quickly go to a named range. There are rules for Excel Names, and here’s what Microsoft says is allowed.
Jul 18, 2024 · Step 4: Enter the Name and Refers To Value. In the New Name dialog box, type a name for your range in the "Name" field and make sure the "Refers to" field has the correct cell range. The name should be something easy to remember, like "Sales2023" or "EmployeeData." The "Refers to" field should display the range you selected in Step 1.
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.
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Mar 20, 2023 · The tutorial explains what Excel name is and how to define a name for a cell, range, constant or formula. You will also learn how to edit, filter and delete defined names in Excel.
