How to Get the Value from a Cell Given a Name Box in Excel

Excel is a powerful tool for managing and analyzing data. One of its useful features is the ability to assign names to cells or ranges of cells. This makes it easier to refer to specific cells in formulas or when performing calculations. In this article, we will learn how to get the value from a cell given a name box in Excel.

Step 1: Assign a Name to a Cell

The first step is to assign a name to the cell whose value you want to retrieve. To do this:

1. Select the cell you want to name.
2. Go to the "Formulas" tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. Click on the "Define Name" button in the "Defined Names" group.
4. In the "New Name" dialog box, enter a name for the cell.
5. Click "OK" to assign the name to the cell.

Now that you have assigned a name to the cell, you can easily refer to it in formulas or calculations.

Step 2: Retrieve the Value from the Named Cell

Once you have assigned a name to a cell, you can retrieve its value using the following steps:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the retrieved value.
2. Type an equal sign (=) to start a formula.
3. Begin typing the name you assigned to the cell. Excel will suggest the name as you type.
4. Once you see the name in the suggestion list, press Tab or Enter to complete the name.
5. Press Enter to finish the formula and display the value from the named cell.

For example, if you named a cell "SalesTotal" and you want to display its value in cell A1, you would type "=SalesTotal" in cell A1 and press Enter. The value from the named cell will be displayed in cell A1.

Using the Name Box to Retrieve the Value

In addition to using formulas, you can also use the Name Box to retrieve the value from a named cell. The Name Box is located next to the formula bar and displays the name of the selected cell or range.

To retrieve the value from a named cell using the Name Box:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the retrieved value.
2. Click on the Name Box and type the name of the cell you want to retrieve the value from.
3. Press Enter to display the value in the selected cell.

Using the Name Box can be a quick and convenient way to retrieve values from named cells without having to type formulas.

Conclusion

Assigning names to cells in Excel can greatly simplify your formulas and calculations. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily retrieve the value from a cell given a name box in Excel. Whether you choose to use formulas or the Name Box, these techniques will help you work more efficiently with your data.

References

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