How to delete named ranges in excel

A named range is a label assigned to a cell or range of cells that lets you refer to that cell or range by name instead of by cell address.

How to delete a single named range using the ribbon (Windows and Mac)

To delete a single named range using the ribbon:

1. Open the workbook that contains the named range.

2. Click the Formulas tab on the ribbon.

3. Click Name Manager (on some Mac versions, the command is under Formulas > Define Name or under Tools > Names > Define).

4. In the Name Manager dialog, select the name you want to delete.

5. Click Delete.

6. Confirm the deletion by clicking OK or Yes.

How to delete multiple named ranges at once

To delete several names at once:

1. Open Name Manager (Formulas tab).

2. Click the first name you want to remove.

3. Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click additional names to select more than one.

4. Click Delete and confirm the action.

How to delete all named ranges in a workbook with a macro (safe for hidden names)

To remove every named range with VBA:

1. Press Alt+F11 (Windows) to open the VBA editor, or use the VBA editor menu on Mac.

2. Insert a new module: Insert > Module.

3. Paste the code below into the module.

4. Run the macro from the editor or assign it to a button. 

   Sub DeleteAllNames()

       Dim nm As Name

       On Error Resume Next

       For Each nm In ThisWorkbook.Names

           nm.Delete

       Next nm

       On Error GoTo 0

       MsgBox "All workbook-level names deleted."

   End Sub

   
   

   How to delete worksheet-scoped names (names tied to a specific sheet)

To remove names that belong to a specific sheet:

1. Open Name Manager.

2. Look at the Scope column to identify worksheet-scoped names.

3. Select the worksheet-scoped name and click Delete.

4. Confirm deletion.

How to delete hidden or corrupt names that do not appear in Name Manager

To remove hidden, invalid, or corrupt names that are not visible in Name Manager, use VBA:

1. Open the VBA editor.

2. Insert a module.

3. Paste and run this code.

   Sub DeleteHiddenOrCorruptNames()

       Dim i As Long

       On Error Resume Next

       For i = ThisWorkbook.Names.Count To 1 Step -1

           ThisWorkbook.Names(i).Delete

       Next i

       On Error GoTo 0

       MsgBox "Hidden and corrupt names attempted for deletion."

   End Sub

What is different between Windows and Mac when deleting named ranges?

The steps are the same conceptually. Differences to note:

1. Menu location may vary by Excel version on Mac; older Mac versions place name commands under Tools > Names.

2. Keyboard shortcuts differ by platform; avoid relying on a single shortcut across platforms.

3. Access to the VBA editor is present on both platforms but the keystrokes to open it may differ.

Can deleting a named range break formulas that reference it?

Yes. Deleting a named range breaks formulas and data validation rules that depend on that name. Formulas that referenced the name will return errors or incorrect results after deletion.

How to find where a name is used before deleting it

To locate uses of a name before deletion:

1. Open Name Manager and select the name.

2. Look at the Refers To box to see the range.

3. Use Find (Ctrl+F or Command+F) and search the workbook for the name string to find formulas and data validation that reference it.

4. Inspect charts, conditional formatting, and validation rules where names commonly appear.

How to prevent accidental deletion of important named ranges

To protect important names:

1. Document named ranges and their usage in a worksheet called Documentation.

2. Protect workbook structure to prevent unauthorized changes to sheets and named ranges.

3. Convert key names into clearly labeled tables and use structured references when appropriate.

What should I do when a name keeps reappearing after deletion?

A name that reappears usually comes from external links, add-ins, or workbook code that recreates it. Steps to stop recreation:

1. Check Data > Edit Links for external references.

2. Check installed add-ins and disable them temporarily.

3. Inspect the workbook VBA for code that creates names and remove or modify that code.

How to delete a named range that belongs to another workbook

To delete a name defined in a closed workbook, you must open that workbook and delete the name there. Names created as external references can be removed by editing or breaking the external link in the active workbook.

Quick reference — short checklist (numbered)

1. Open the workbook.

2. Go to Formulas > Name Manager.

3. Select one or more names.

4. Click Delete.

5. Confirm deletion.

6. Search the workbook for the name text to repair broken references.