Naming a range of cells

[tonome]

I have used the Name Box to name the range of cells A1:A20 - "A".
I have used the Name Box to name the range of cells B1:B20 - "B".

When I try to do the same for the range of cells C1:C20 ie naming it "C" , it won't accept "C"???

Doing it the long way through Insert etc it tells me "C" is "not valid.

Any ideas?

Thank you - Tonome

[oldchippy]

Hi,

As you say it's an invalid name, so try re-naming to say Arange, Brange,Crange

[shg]

Excel does not allow the use of names that are also cell references (for obvious reasons), but also does not allow the use of certain single letter names -- C and R being two examples.

As oldchippy suggests, pick another name.

[tonome]

I have now used alternate names as suggested.

I was just curious as to why "C" is invalid.

Thank you both - Tonome

[oldchippy]

Hi,

I've tried looking for an answer on the Microsoft Knowledge Base, but was unable find one specific to this problem, but obviously Excel uses that particular character for something.

When trying to name a range called C one of the messages says "The name conflicts with an Excel built-in name or the name of another object in the workbook"

Anyway you've managed to get over the problem - thats the main thing

[tonome]

As my workbook is complex (and in case of a conflict) I had already tried opening a blank workbook and inserting one only column of data - it still was unable to accept "C" as a name.

As shg says C & R are taboo! Amazing that I've been using Excel for so long and only now find this out!

You learn something new every day!!

Many thanks to you both - Tonome

[NBVC]

C means Column and R means Row...

Excel also understands the R1C1 format of referencing cells, etc and that is why you can't use R or C... because they are reserved for the R1C1 format of referencing cells.

[oldchippy]

C means Column and R means Row...

Of course it is, now why didn’t I think of that

[tonome]

Yes, me too - sometimes we don't see the obvious!
Tonome