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  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  >  Manage named ranges.
    
4. Type the range name you want.
5. To change the range, click Spreadsheet .
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  Named ranges.
3. On the named range you want to edit or delete, click 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 .
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.