How to delete a defined name in excel

Answer

To delete a defined name in Excel, open Name Manager, select the name, click Delete, then close Name Manager.

1. On Windows (Excel desktop):

   1. Click the Formulas tab on the ribbon.

   2. Click Name Manager (or press Ctrl+F3).

   3. In the Name Manager window, click the defined name you want to remove.

   4. Click Delete.

   5. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

   6. Click Close to finish.

2. On Mac (Excel desktop):

   1. Click the Formulas tab on the ribbon.

   2. Click Name Manager.

   3. In the Name Manager window, select the defined name.

   4. Click Delete.

   5. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

   6. Click Close to finish.

3. To delete a defined name directly from a worksheet (quick method):

   1. Click the Name Box (the box left of the formula bar showing the active cell address).

   2. Choose the defined name from the drop-down list.

   3. Press Delete on your keyboard.

   4. Open Name Manager to confirm the name was removed.

4. To delete many names at once:

   1. Open Name Manager.

   2. Hold Ctrl and click each name you want to remove.

   3. Click Delete.

   4. Confirm the deletion.

How to delete hidden or workbook-level names

To delete a hidden or workbook-level name, open Name Manager and look at the Scope column; names with scope Workbook apply everywhere and may be hidden. Select hidden or workbook-level names in Name Manager and click Delete.

1. Use the Filter button inside Name Manager to show hidden names when needed.

2. Delete as with visible names.

Can I delete all defined names at once?

Yes.

1. Open Name Manager.

2. Click the first name in the list.

3. Press Ctrl+A on Windows to select all names (on Mac use the menu or click first then Shift+click last).

4. Click Delete and confirm.

Can I delete a defined name with VBA?

Yes. Use VBA when you need to remove names programmatically or remove names with unusual scopes.

1. To delete a single name by exact name:

   Sub DeleteName()

       On Error Resume Next

       ThisWorkbook.Names("MyName").Delete

       On Error GoTo 0

   End Sub

2. To delete all workbook-level names:
   Sub DeleteAllNames()

       Dim nm As Name

       For Each nm In ThisWorkbook.Names

           nm.Delete

       Next nm

   End Sub
   
   
3. To delete worksheet-level names on a specific sheet:
   Sub DeleteSheetNames()

       Dim nm As Name

       For Each nm In Worksheets("Sheet1").Names

           nm.Delete

       Next nm

   End Sub

What happens after I delete a defined name?

A deleted defined name stops existing in the workbook, and any formulas that referenced it will show errors or break where the name was required.

1. Excel does not automatically replace the name with its previous cell reference.

2. Use Undo immediately to restore a deleted name, unless other actions prevent undo.

How to find where a defined name is used before deleting it

1. Open Name Manager.

2. Select the name.

3. Click Refers To and copy the reference into the worksheet to inspect it.

4. Search the workbook for the name text by pressing Ctrl+F and entering the name to locate formulas that reference it.

Troubleshooting common issues

1. Name not listed: The name might be local to a worksheet. Change the scope filter in Name Manager to show worksheet-level names.

2. Cannot delete: Worksheet protection or workbook protection may prevent deletion; remove protection first, then delete the name.

3. Names with errors: Names that refer to invalid ranges still appear in Name Manager; select and delete them using the normal Delete button.

Best practices before deleting names

1. Back up the workbook before mass-deleting names.

2. Search for usage to avoid breaking important formulas.

3. Document reasons for deletion when working on shared files.

Yes · 0 No · 0 Add Comment · 0

Add ·

Report