Are you tired of trying to keep your spreadsheets organized and easy to understand? Named ranges in Google Sheets can be a game-changer. They allow you to create descriptive names for your columns instead of using cell references, making it much easier to work with formulas.
But what if we told you there’s a way to take named ranges to the next level? You can create dynamic named ranges in Google Sheets! Imagine having your named ranges update automatically based on a formula. It’s a powerful tool that can save you a lot of time and energy.
In this article, we’ll show you how to create a dynamic named range in Google Sheets using just a few simple steps. So let’s get started!
How to Create a Dynamic Named Range
The trick to creating dynamic named ranges in Google Sheets is to use the INDIRECT function. While Excel allows you to create named ranges using INDIRECT, it doesn’t work the same way in Google Sheets. But don’t worry, we’ve got a workaround for you!
By using the INDIRECT function in combination with a formula, you can create named ranges in Google Sheets that update automatically. This means that if you rename your named ranges, all the formulas using them will update as well. No more manually updating references!
To illustrate how to create a dynamic named range, let’s walk through an example using a sample dataset:
In this example, we’ll create a dynamic named range in column D. Here are the steps:
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The first step is to create a formula that counts the data we want to include in our dynamic named range. In cell F2, enter the formula
=COUNT(D2:D1000)+1. This formula counts the number of cells containing numbers in the range D2:D1000. The range extends to D1000 so that any new data added will be included in the count.
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Next, we need to create a reference for our sales column. In cell G2, enter the formula
="Sheet1!D2:D"&F2.
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After entering the formula in the previous step, it should display the exact reference to your data. In column D, there are 9 rows, so the formula displays D9.
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Now, let’s actually create the named range. Go to the top menu, select Data, and then click Named Ranges.
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Give your named range a title, such as “TotalSales”. For the data range, enter the location of the cell containing your reference formula from Step 2. In our case, it’s G2. Click Done when you’ve entered both pieces of information.
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Your dynamic named range is now set up and ready to use! You can start using it in formulas using the INDIRECT function. In my file, I used the formula
=SUM(INDIRECT(TotalSales))to display the sum of the entire column.
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As you can see, the total sum of my sales column is D.
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Since this range is dynamic, observe how as I add values to the column, my INDIRECT sum function automatically increases.
Conclusion
In the example above, we guided you through the steps to create a dynamic named range and showed you how to use the INDIRECT function to reference this range and create formulas that automatically update when your data changes. It’s a valuable skill to learn, so take the time to understand what’s happening and why it works.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you found this article helpful!
