XL: Macro to Delete #REF! Defined Name Errors in a Workbook

ID: Q153454

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, if you have a workbook with defined names that refer to different worksheets and you then delete those worksheets, you will receive a #REF!<cell reference> error in the defined names dialog box. You can only delete the reference errors individually using the Define Name dialog box. However, you can use a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications procedure to delete all defined name reference errors within the active workbook.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web: 

   http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/
To delete #REF! errors in defined names, follow these steps:

1. Create a new workbook with at least two sheets.

2. Select cell A1 in Sheet2.

3. On the Insert menu, point to Name, and then click Define.

4. In the Define Name dialog box, type "myname" (without the quotation 

   marks) in the Names In Workbook box, and then click OK.

   This creates a defined name that refers to cell A1 in Sheet2.
5. Delete Sheet2. 

   This makes the defined name "myname" refer to =#REF!$A$1.
6. Type the following code in a new module sheet. 

      ' This procedure deletes every named range in which the RefersTo
      ' argument contains #REF!, where #REF! begins at the second character
      ' and ends at the fifth.

      Sub Delete_Every_Named_Range_With_A_Reference_Error()
         Dim nm As Object
         Dim mystr As String

         ' Loops through each name in the active workbook.
         For Each nm In ActiveWorkbook.Names

            ' Check for #REF! in the defined name reference.
            If InStr(1, nm.RefersTo, "#REF!") Then

               ' Delete the defined name if it is a match.
               nm.Delete

            End If
         Next
      End Sub
7. Run the macro. 

   The defined name "myname" is deleted from the workbook.
Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 5.00c 7.00 7.00a 8.00 XL98 XL97 XL7 XL5 howto how to 
Keywords          : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmOthr xlformula KbVBA 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,7.0a,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: May 18, 1999