Naming a Range with Google Sheets

When using functions, it can be useful to use named ranges when the references are fixed (instead of entering references with $), especially to make formulas more readable.

This is also possible with any other functionality that involves a fixed cell or range of cells.

Example of Use

The following formula is used to calculate the number of times each fruit appears in the fixed range $A$2:$A$29:

=COUNTIF($A$2:$A$29,A2)

To make the formula more readable, we will now name the fruit range.

Select cells A2 to A29 and enter the desired name, here fruits:

From then on, whenever you need to use the range of cells containing the list of fruits, use the named range fruits instead of $A$2:$A$29:

=COUNTIF(fruits,A2)