Name and Identify Cell Ranges
When you use the same group of cells in formulas and charts, define a name for the range of cells to identify that range. To define a name for a range using the Name Box:
Name Charts and Pictures
When charts and other objects, such as buttons or images, are added to a worksheet, Excel automatically assigns a name. The first chart added is named Chart 1, and the first image is named Picture 1. If your worksheet contains several charts and pictures, give these images descriptive names to make these images easier to find. To rename charts and pictures:
Select Ranges with Names
The Name Box selects or highlights ranges of cells, using either defined names or by entering the cell references. Type the name of a defined range into the Name Box, and Excel selects that range in the worksheet. The Name Box has an associated dropdown list that contains all the names that have been defined for the current worksheet. Select a name from this list and Excel selects the correct range. The Name Box also selects the correct range before carrying out sorting operations or before using certain functions such as VLOOKUP, which require the use of a selected data range.
Select Ranges With References
Select an individual cell by typing its cell reference into the Name Box and pressing the Enter key, or highlight a contiguous range of cells using the Name Box.
Select Multiple Ranges
Select multiple ranges in a worksheet by typing them into the Name Box. For example:
Type D1:D15, F1: F15 into the Name Box to highlight the first 15 cells in columns D and F.Type A4:F4, A8:F8 to highlight the first six cells in rows four and eight.Type D1: D15, A4:F4 to highlight the first 15 cells in column D and the first six cells in row four.
Select Intersecting Ranges
When you want to select the portion of the two ranges that intersect, separate the identified ranges with a space instead of a comma. For example, type D1: D15 A4:F12 into the Name Box to highlight the range of cells D4:D12, which are the cells common to both ranges. For example, if the range D1:D15 is named test and the range F1:F15 is named test2, type test, test2 in the Name Box to highlight the ranges D1:D15 and F1:F15.
Select Entire Columns or Rows
Select adjacent columns or rows using the Name Box, for example:
Type B:D to highlight every cell in columns B, C, and D.Type 2:4 to select every cell in rows 2, 3, and 4.
Navigate the Worksheet
The Name Box also provides a quick way to navigate to a cell or range in a worksheet. This approach saves time when working in large worksheets and eliminates the need to scroll past hundreds of rows or columns.
Jump to a Cell Reference
There’s no default keyboard shortcut for placing the cursor (the blinking insertion point) inside the Name Box. Here’s a faster method to jump to a cell reference:
