How to define cell names in Excel 2013

The conventional naming of cells in Excel is for example 'A1', where the letter refers to the column and the number refers to the row number. When working with more complex and large spreadsheets it is better to use cell naming. So that you can refer to the cell name instead of the "meaningless" names 'A1', 'G14' or even 'BR8992'.

Take this (very easy) example

You want to calculate the area of the rectangle given by its length and width. The standard way is to refer to cells 'G3' and 'G4' for length and width, respectively, for this case.

 

 

Now select the first cell you want to name, 'G3'. Go to the 'Formulas' tab and click 'Define Name'. The following box appears. Give it an explanatory name (or variable name if you want). Do the same for the width input cell. You can also define its scope, i.e. if it shall apply to all sheets in the workbook or one of the sheets. You can also define a name which only applies for another sheet.

 

 

Click 'OK'. That's all there is to it. Look at the formula.. '=length*width', not 'G3*G4'. It gives more meaning.