Tip for Better Spreadsheets: Name Your Worksheets and Ranges

Tip for Better Spreadsheets: Name Your Worksheets and Ranges

Have you ever opened a spreadsheet with tabs like “Sheet3” or formulas like =SUM(A2:A10) and had no idea what you were looking at? Naming your worksheets and cell ranges can make your files easier to read, use, and share.

Why You Should Name Things

Readability: A descriptive name like “Task_List” is so much easier to understand than "Sheet1".

Easier Formulas: Using named ranges make formulas simpler to write and interpret (e.g., =COUNTIF(Task_Status, "Completed")).

Better Collaboration: When working with others, clear names reduce confusion and help avoid errors.

How to Rename a Worksheet

In Excel:

1. Double-click the sheet tab at the bottom
2. Type a new name and press Enter
3. Press Enter

In Google Sheets:

1. Right-click the sheet tab
2. Choose Rename
3. Type a new name and press Enter

How to Name a Cell Range

In Excel:

1. Select the cell range
2. Click the Name Box to the left of the formula bar
3. Type a name (no spaces) and press Enter

In Google Sheets:

1. Select the cell range
2. Click Data > Named ranges
3. Enter a name (no spaces) and click Done

Example using a named range

Let’s say C2:C6 lists the status of tasks in a project (e.g., "Not Started," "In Progress," "Completed"):

1. Name the range Task_Status
2. Use a formula like =COUNTIF(Task_Status, "Completed") to count completed tasks

Naming worksheets and ranges in Excel and Google Sheets is a quick habit that makes for cleaner, more professional, and collaborative spreadsheets. 

Article by Karen Matthes, Extension Learning Technologies, klm@umn.edu