Create a dynamic named range
A dynamic named range grows automatically when new values are added and also shrinks if values are deleted. This saves you time as you no longer need to adjust the cell reference in a formula.
In this post I am going to explain the dynamic named range formula in Sam's comment. The formula adds new rows and columns instantly to the named range.
This makes the named range dynamic meaning you don´t need to adjust cell references every time you add a new row or column to the list.
The formula takes care of only one list per sheet.
How to create a named range
- Click "Formulas" tab on the ribbon.
- Click "Name Manager".
- Create a new named range and name it.
- Type the formula below in "Refers to:" window:
- Click close button.
Named range forumla:
Explaining formula
Step 1 - Count the number of cells in column A that are not empty
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A), COUNTA(Sheet1!$1:$1))
becomes
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, 4, COUNTA(Sheet1!$1:$1))
Step 2 - Count the number of cells in row 1 that are not empty
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A), COUNTA(Sheet1!$1:$1))
becomes
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, 4, 3)
Step 3 - Return a reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A), COUNTA(Sheet1!$1:$1))
becomes
=Sheet1!$A$1:$C$4
This cell reference changes whenever new rows or columns are added or removed.
Possible scenarios when to use named ranges
- Formulas, making them dynamic and easier to read and understand.
- Charts (How to create a dynamic chart)
- Pivot tables (Create a dynamic pivot table and refresh automatically in excel)
Functions in this article:
COUNTA(value1,[value2],)
Counts the number of cells in a range that are not empty
INDEX(array,row_num,[column_num])
Returns a value or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column, in a given range
Weekly Blog EMAIL
Welcome! I am Oscar and here to help you out.Feel free to comment and ask Excel questions.
Make sure you subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss new blog articles.
Related articles
Question: How do I create a chart that dynamically adds the values, as i type them on the worksheet? Answer: […]
Create dependent drop down lists containing unique distinct values
This article explains how to build dependent drop down lists. Here is a list of order numbers and products. We […]
How to create a dynamic pivot table and refresh automatically
This article shows you how to refresh a pivot table automatically using a small VBA macro. If you add or delete […]
Create a drop down list containing alphabetically sorted values
This article describes how to create a drop-down list populated with sorted values from A to Z. The sorted list […]
Populate drop down list with filtered Excel Table values
This article demonstrates how to populate a drop down list with filtered values from an Excel defined Table. The animated […]
Macro creates links to all sheets, tables, pivot tables and named ranges
This article demonstrates a macro that automatically populates a worksheet with a Table of Contents, it contains hyperlinks to worksheets, […]
How to quickly select a cell range
Selecting cell ranges in Excel can sometimes be a real pain scrolling forever it seems. There is a quick and easy […]
List all named ranges and their cell references
This article shows you a way to display all named ranges you have in a workbook. This is a powerful […]
12 Responses to “Create a dynamic named range”
How to comment
How to add a formula to your comment
<code>Insert your formula here.</code>
Convert less than and larger than signs
Use html character entities instead of less than and larger than signs.
< becomes < and > becomes >
How to add VBA code to your comment
[vb 1="vbnet" language=","]
Put your VBA code here.
[/vb]
How to add a picture to your comment:
Upload picture to postimage.org or imgur
Paste image link to your comment.
The Count(A:A) approach assumes non blanks
To handle blanks you can try the below
Assume You need to create a 1D Dynamuic Name called ID_NO
Also Assume that the Column to have mixed data types : Numbers , Text and Blanks
aData={"Ω";9.9E+307}
ID_NO = Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$A:$A,MATCH(aData,Sheet1!$A:$A,1))
will take of blanks between data
sam,
interesting!
I can´t get it to work unless i change ID_NO to this:
ID_NO = Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$A:$A, MAX(MATCH(aData, Sheet1!$A:$A, 1)))
Thanks for your contribution!
Sorry my bad....Typo...I missied out the Max...
You could drop the match type as the default is 1
ID_NO =
Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$A:$A,MAX(MATCH(aData,Sheet1!$A:$A)))
Can I use this to specify the size of a table using the range of another table, which will increase in rows weekly?
Daniel,
I think so
Named range
=Sheet1!$A$1:INDEX(Sheet1!$1:$65535, ROWS(Table_name), COUNTA(Sheet1!$1:$1))
And how about if the table is in another sheet? Table1 in sheet1, has to match Table2 in sheet2
Daniel,
I don´t understand why you want a table in sheet1 to match a table in sheet2 using a named range?
How can i use this feature in a column that contains formulas?
Jimmie,
Try this formula:
=Calculation!$A$1:INDEX(Calculation!$1:$65535, MAX((Calculation!$A$1:$A$65000<>"")*ROW(Calculation!$A$1:$A$65000)), MAX((Calculation!$1:$1<>"")*COLUMN(Calculation!$1:$1)))
Download example file
named-range-formula.xlsx
[...] more about named ranges: Create a dynamic named range in excel Download excel *.xlsx [...]
Thank you Oscar. This is the most reasonable and workable function I have encountered for the outcome desired to date.
I can get the formula (=HYPERLINK("[CompletePull.xlsx]'Sheet2'!$E$"&MATCH(CHAR(255),Sheet2!E1:E1002,1)+1,1)) to hyperlink to another sheet within my workbook which is what I desire; however, my issue is that in this other sheet my column of data are dates. If it were text it seems to work great but not numbers. I have attempted to readjust the CHAR function within the MATCH nest to more accommodate my dates but it still doesn't work. It keeps hyperlinking to the first set of data in my column, not the next empty cell. I can have my users, click on the desired cell; however, I want my application (workbook) to be as simplistically functional as possible. Have you attempted to get your example to work with you set of data in column B? Do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you again
[…] template has dynamic named ranges for all chart series. This lets you change the date range and all chart data is adjusted […]