does anyone here actually use names?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sokevin
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sokevin

hi,

i am self learning about excel.

i have came across NAMES topic.

does anyone here actually use names? when r they usefull? i dont reall
see a real need for them, especially in formulas.

the only time i use name is for when i name a large block of data, so
dont have to re-select the cells all the time.

cheer
 
They sometimes make writing the formulas easier.

=vlookup(a1,sheet3!$a$1:$e$9999,3,false)
might be easier as:
=vlookup(a1,PartNumberTable,3,false)

Kind of self documenting, too.

And if you have lots of (say) validity checks to make sure stuff is filled in
correctly, you can do:

=if(sum(CardQty)>5,"Don't forget Spares!",""))

Instead of
=if(sum(sheet1!c3,sheet1!c9,sheet1!c13,sheet1!c17)....etc

But I find the real use is when I want to use some macro and retrieve values
from a worksheet.

If I name C9 on sheet1 "MyInputCell", then I can do:

dim myInput as variant
myinput = worksheets("sheet1").range("myinputcell").value

If I did this instead:
myinput = worksheets("sheet1").range("c9").value

Then I'd have big (really big!) problems if I inserted or deleted a row or
column. VBA doesn't adjust those range references (like "C9") automatically.

But the range name travels with the cell. It's the only reasonable way to go.

And you didn't ask, but if you're going to start using names or just experiment
with them, pick up a copy of Jan Karel Pieterse's (with Charles Williams and
Matthew Henson) Name Manager.

http://www.jkp-ads.com/Download.htm

You'll be very happy with all the features.

(and they're working on an update--so check back every once in awhile).

This really makes working with names a 100% (1000%) easier!
 
hi,

i am self learning about excel.

i have came across NAMES topic.

does anyone here actually use names? when r they usefull? i dont really
see a real need for them, especially in formulas.

the only time i use name is for when i name a large block of data, so i
dont have to re-select the cells all the time.
Click to expand...

Best use .... mail merge with word to select the data you want to use.
Other common use.
Named constants. You can tell what it is by reading the name ... and
when you copy formulae with names, the names are unchanged (much like
using $f$3 eg).

Bruce


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was so much easier to blame it on Them. It was bleakly depressing to
think that They were Us. If it was Them, then nothing was anyone´s fault.
If it was Us, what did that make Me ? After all, I´m one of Us. I must be.
I´ve certainly never thought of myself as one of Them. No-one ever thinks
of themselves as one of Them. We´re always one of Us. It´s Them that do
the bad things. <=> Terry Pratchett. Jingo.
 
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