In this lesson you will learn how to define name to cells and ranges. It will help you to use these names in your formulas. You can use these defined names as variables.
You can assign names to cells and ranges in Excel. For you it is much better to use name than just address of cells. It looks also much more professional. Cell named Sales or range of cells named Sales_Atlanta are certainly a lot easier to remember and identify than the corresponding cell addresses A1 or A2:B20.
You can use defined name in formulas and functions instead of cell addresses. When you move a cell or range of cells possessing different place name in the worksheet, Excel automatically updates all the necessary formulas and references.
Defining name of cells (or range of cells)
Select cell (or range) you want to name.
Go to Ribbon. Click the Formulas tab. Next go to Defined names section. Click Define Name.
Dialog box appears. Fill it in.
Your name is defined. You can see it here.
You can also define name in other way. Use this method to define name of ranges. Header will become names of range.
Create from Selection
Select range of cells you want to name (with header!).
Go to Ribbon. Click the Formulas tab. Next go to Defined names section. Click Create from Selection button.
Dialog box appears. Click proper check box.
Name is defined.
Before you learnt how to define names, you have used such formulas: =SUM(A1:B2)
Now, you can use such formulas: =SUM(ExampleName,BestExcelTutorialExample). Excel remembers names which you defined. Excel will help you as you see at the picture below.
Excel shows your names the same such functions. Just use names and create functions incredibly easy.
Further reading: Camera Tool Chart with Checkboxes Variables declaration Initials name