Names

Names

A name is defined by a formula that returns any type of value, array or range reference. Names may consist of latin letters _ and . characters as well as many other unicode symbols and language characters. Numbers may appear in any character after the first providing that the name doesn't represent a cell reference.

Range references can be defined by range names or structured references in tables. Multiple area ranges can also be defined that may contain a few hundred references although are limited to 255 characters when entered from the user interface. Named ranges can be defined relative to a cell. If a relative name is passed to the INDIRECT function the resulting reference is relative to A1 and not the active cell. Names may also refer to the active sheet by prefixing with an exclamation mark so that =!RC refers to the active cell.

Large arrays are supported as names though there is a limitation on saving names with more than 8192 characters to xlsm files. Names may also refer to function names (vba, xll or xlm) and arguments can be passed to the names in the same way as the functions themselves.

Names are defined with scope to workbook or sheet, or within a formula by utilising the LET function. Names can also be defined with application in workbooks add-ins by setting the type attribute of the name to function. There is a hidden workbook addin available in any application instance where names of registered DLL functions are stored which can be accessed indirectly from xlm or xll to create names.