Renaming Grid Ranges

You can rename grid ranges in multiple-grid sheets to identify them using a friendly and meaningful name.

When you place ranges on a multiple-grid sheet, Excel assigns each range a name by default. The strings used in the name ranges may not be particularly user friendly. For example, a range based on the Vision Plan1 cube might look like this: Vision_Plan1_88CA3264. A more user-friendly name, for example Business Drivers, helps users identify and understand the ad hoc grids in the multiple-grid sheet.

Using Smart View's Rename Grid Range option, you can rename the grid ranges while retaining their metadata and connection.

Note:

It is not recommended to use Excel's Name Manager to rename a grid range. It could cause a loss of metadata. When you rename a grid range outside Smart View:
  • The grid's connection is broken, preventing Smart View from identifying it.
  • You cannot perform any grid operations on such a grid.
  • You cannot view the grid's details in the Sheet Information dialog as it is considered invalid.

Guidelines for renaming grids

While renaming the grids, consider the following guidelines:

  • Only alphanumeric characters are allowed in grid names. Special characters are not allowed.
  • The name cannot start with a number.
  • The name must be limited to 254 characters.
  • The name must be unique for each grid. Multiple grids cannot have the same name. For example, grids having names as Sales and SALES are not considered unique, and so not allowed.
  • Only one grid can be renamed at a time. Select at least on cell in the specific grid to rename it.

To rename grids in a multiple-grid sheet:

  1. In the multiple-grid sheet, select any cell in the grid that you want to rename.
  2. From the provider ad hoc ribbon, click the down arrow next to More and select Rename Grid Range.
  3. Review the grid's current name and enter a new name.
  4. Click OK.
  5. To view the new name, you can check the following:
    • Sheet Information: In the Sheet Information dialog, the new name appears in the Associated Range field.
    • Name Box At the top of the sheet, click the down arrow in the Name Box next to the Formula Bar. The new grid name appears in the list along with the cell ranges of the grid.