Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool used for various mathematical calculations, data analysis, and presentation in tables and graphs. It is widely used in different fields such as business, finance, education, and research. One of the useful features of Excel is the ability to define names for cells or ranges of cells. These names can be used in formulas, functions, and macros, which makes it easier to work with large data sets and complex models. In this article, we will discuss how to create and use shortcut define name Excel.
What is a Defined Name in Excel?
A defined name is a text string that represents a single cell or a range of cells in Excel. It can be used instead of cell references in formulas, functions, and macros. By using defined names, you can make your formulas more readable, easier to understand, and more maintainable. Excel has some default names such as A1, B2, etc. but you can create your own names as well.
How to Define a Name in Excel?
There are different ways to define a name in Excel. The easiest way is to select a cell or range of cells that you want to name, and then type the name in the Name Box at the left end of the Formula Bar. You can also define a name using the Name Manager dialog box, which allows you to manage all the defined names in your workbook. To open the Name Manager dialog box, go to the Formulas tab, click on the Defined Names group, and then click on the Name Manager button.
How to Use a Defined Name in Excel?
After defining a name in Excel, you can use it in formulas, functions, and macros. To use a defined name in a formula or function, simply type the name instead of the cell reference. For example, if you have defined the name “Sales” for the range of cells B2:B10, you can use it in a formula like this: =SUM(Sales). To use a defined name in a macro, you can refer to it using the Range object. For example, Range(“Sales”).Select.
Shortcut Define Name Excel
Now that we know how to define and use names in Excel, let’s discuss a shortcut method to define a name quickly. Instead of typing the name in the Name Box or using the Name Manager dialog box, you can use a shortcut key to define a name for the selected cell or range of cells. The shortcut key for defining a name is Ctrl + Shift + F3.
Steps to Define a Name Using Shortcut in Excel
Follow these steps to define a name using the shortcut key:
- Select the cell or range of cells that you want to name.
- Press the shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + F3.
- The Create Names from Selection dialog box will appear. Choose the options that you want, and then click on OK.
That’s it! Your selected cell or range of cells is now named according to the options that you chose in the dialog box. You can use this name in formulas, functions, and macros, just like any other defined name.
Conclusion
Defined names are a powerful feature of Excel that can make your work much easier and efficient. They allow you to use text strings instead of cell references in formulas, functions, and macros, which makes your formulas more readable and easier to understand. By using the shortcut key Ctrl + Shift + F3, you can define a name quickly and easily for the selected cell or range of cells. This can save you a lot of time and effort, especially when working with large data sets and complex models.
