Name a range of cells

You can name ranges in Google Sheets to keep better track of them and create cleaner formulas.

For example, instead of using "A1:B2" to describe a range of cells, you could name the range "budget_total." This way, a formula like "=SUM(A1:B2, D4:E6)" could be written as "=SUM(budget_total, quarter2)."

Name a range

  1. Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
  2. Select the cells you want to name.
  3. Click Data and then Named ranges. A menu will open on the right.

    Tip: To quickly open this menu, in the range box on the top left, click the drop down menu Down arrow >  Manage named ranges.
     
  4. Type the range name you want.
  5. To change the range, click Spreadsheet Grid.
  6. Select a range in the spreadsheet or type the new range into the text box, then click Ok.
  7. Click Done.

Range names:

  • Can contain only letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • Can't start with a number, or the words "true" or "false."
  • Can't contain any spaces or punctuation.
  • Must be 1–250 characters.
  • Can't be in either A1 or R1C1 syntax. For example, you might get an error if you give your range a name like "A1:B2" or "R1C1:R2C2."

Edit or delete a named range

  1. Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
  2. Click Data and then Named ranges.
  3. On the named range you want to edit or delete, click Edit Edit.
  4. To edit the range, enter a new name or range, then click Done.
  5. To delete the named range, next to the name, click Delete range Delete .
  6. On the menu that opens, click Remove.

Note: When you delete a named range, any formulas that reference it will no longer work. Protected ranges that reference a named range will use the cell values and continue to work.

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