Named Selections

Undoubtedly, named selections can make a spreadsheets much easier to use.   Named selections are most useful in formulas.  Rather than "hard-coding" values into a formula, you can name a selection and then use the name in the formula.  Thus, if you change the values of the selection, it does not impact the reference to those values elsewhere.

Named selections are also useful for defining cells or items you need to "jump" back to often while working. 

To Name a Selection

  1. Select the cells you want to name.

  2. From the Named Selections tool  , select Name Selection.  A Name Selection dialog box is displayed.

  3. Enter the name for the selection and click OK.  The selected cells are named. 

To Focus on a Named Selection

  1. From the Named Selections tool  , select the named selection you wish to view.

  2. The workspace is focused on the named selection and the text of that selection is highlighted. 

Using a Named Selection in a Formula

You can place a named selection into a formula and the program automatically replaces the reference with the text or items applicable for the named selection. 

ssnamed1.gif (24775 bytes)

In the example above, cells B2 through B9 (red rectangle) are assigned the name selection "jan".  In the total field, rather than reference each cell, the formula (red circle) references the named selection. 

To Place a Named Selection into a Formula

  1. Select the cell where you want to place the formula.

  2. Enter the formula you want.  In place of references to the cells, use the named reference.  Named references to named selections do not need any special formatting, although it is a good idea to place parentheses around individual named references.  For example, to summarize three references the formula might be: =SUM(jan)+(feb)+(mar).  

  3. Select the Display option.  Result displays only the result of the formula, Formula displays only the formula, Formula & Result displays both in the document.

Named selections are applicable anywhere within a single document file.  You can use named selections in different sheets or frames.  Named selection references do not translate between separate document files. 


Copyright © 1999, Gobe Software, Inc