Name Box in Excel

 

You can use the name box in Excel to select a cell, range or named range. You can also use the name box to quickly create a named range (important).

1. We start simple. The name box below displays the address of the active cell (B6).

Name Box Displays Active Cell

2. You can use the name box to select a cell, range or named range. For example, click in the name box and type E2:F8.

Use Name Box to Select Range

3. Press Enter.

Upper-left Cell of Selected Range

Note: the name box only displays the upper-left cell of a selected range.

4. Use the name box to quickly create a named range. For example, select the range A2:A9 below, click in the name box and type Scores.

Use Name Box to Create Named Range

5. Press Enter.

Named Range in Excel

6. Now let's use this named range in a formula.

Named Range in Formula

Note: use the Name Manager to edit and delete named ranges. Visit our page about named ranges for more information and formula examples.

7. Finally, click the drop-down arrow in the name box to see a list of all the named ranges in a workbook. For example, click Ages.

List of All Named Ranges in a Workbook

8. Excel selects the named range Ages on Sheet2.

Select Named Range

Note: if you're interested, you can download this Excel file.

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