More Than Names

Do you use MS Excel’s name box to name your ranges?

I’m sure that you frequent users of Excel have found it a helpful tool, but did you know that you could do more with it than just name ranges?

While it’s convenient to use the name box as a “go to” for jumping to different data ranges, did you know that it can also be used to jump to unnamed cells?

• Simply enter a cell address in the name box (such as D234) and hit the Enter key. Instantly, Excel jumps your cell selector to that new location.
  
• If you enter a cell address in the name box and then use Shift + Enter, Excel will highlight the entire range from the currently selected cell to the cell you named.
  
• You can also use the name box for cell range highlighting. Try this in the name box:
  start cell address : end cell address.

  Now, hit the Enter key. Excel will highlight the entire range, with no mouse dragging required.

• To highlight non-adjacent cells using the name box, enter the cell address, but separate each one with a comma.
  
• You can even highlight non-adjacent ranges by separating the range references by the comma. For example, A1:B10, D5:D14 will highlight like this:
  
  

While I know that many of you are attached to your mouse for highlighting and navigation purposes, I also know that many of you are looking for any way possible to detach it from your hand. So, here’s just one more idea for your consideration!

~ April