Quickly Create Named Ranges in Excel

In an Excel workbook you might have a worksheet that contains several lists that you use as the source for data validation drop-down lists.

Worksheet List

For example, this worksheet has a list of countries, and lists of regions within those countries.

If each list has a heading, you can quickly create named ranges from the lists.

Create the First Named Range

To quickly create a named range, follow these steps:

• Select the heading and the items in the first list that you want to name.

• On the Excel Ribbon, click the Formulas tab
• In the Defined Names group, click Create from Selection
• (Note: In Excel 2003 and earlier versions, click Insert > Name > Create)

Create Names dialog box

• In the Create Names dialog box, add a check mark to Top row
• Next, remove any other check marks, then click OK.

Name the Remaining Ranges

To name the next range, follow these steps:

• First, select the range’s heading and items
• Next, on the keyboard, press the F4 key
  • This is the Repeat Last Action keyboard shortcut
• Repeat for all the remaining ranges.

_______________