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Data shortcut

Create names from the selection's labels

Ctrl + Shift + F3 on Windows, Ctrl + Shift + F3 on Mac.

Rarely usedDifficulty 1150 · Proficient
Practice · 2 questions →

When to use it

Creates defined names from the selection's row or column labels in one step.

The shape of it

Windows
Ctrl + Shift + F3
Mac
Ctrl + Shift + F3

Worked examples

  • Names from headers

    Select a table with headers, Ctrl + Shift + F3, Top row, OK → Each column becomes a name

    Names for every column.

  • Names from labels

    Select labels and values in two columns, Ctrl + Shift + F3, Left column → Each label names its value cell

    Assumption blocks.

  • Check the names

    Ctrl + F3 afterwards → The names listed

    Verify.

Worth knowing

  • Spaces in labels become underscores.
  • Tables give similar readability without names.
  • Names make SUMIFS formulas readable.

Where it goes wrong

  • Labels that look like references (Q1) get adjusted to avoid clashes.
  • Duplicate labels create conflicting names.

Related

Ctrl + TCtrl + Shift + LAlt + ↓Alt, A, MAlt, A, EAlt, A, V, V

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