How to Paste Range Names in Excel
This tutorial will demonstrate how to paste range names in Excel.
If you have a workbook that contains a lot of named ranges, you can use those range names in alternative locations or formulas in your Excel file.
Pasting a Range Name to Another Location
- First, select the cell where you wish the range name to be pasted.
- In the Ribbon, select Formulas > Defined Names > Use in Formula > Paste Names…
- Select the name you want to paste, then click OK.
- Press the ENTER key on the keyboard or click the check mark in the formula bar.
The range name will be inserted as a Dynamic Array. You cannot edit individual cells in a dynamic array or delete the values in the cells underneath your formula (for example the values in C3 and C4 in the example below): The cells, together, form part of an individual range name.
Pasting a Range Name into a Formula
You can also paste range names into formulas.
- First, type the beginning of the formula. (This example uses the SUM Function.)
- In the Ribbon, go to Formulas > Defined Names > Use in Formula > Paste Names… Then select the name required and click OK.
- Press ENTER for Excel to automatically complete the formula with a closing parenthesis.
Use in Formula List
An alternative (and simpler!) way to paste a range name into a formula is to directly select the name from the Use in Formula list.
- Type the first part of the formula.
- In the Ribbon, go to Formulas > Defined Names > Use in Formula, then select the name you require.
- Press ENTER for Excel to automatically complete the formula with a closing parenthesis.