XL: Name Box Does Not Display Items When No Named Ranges Exist

ID: Q176008

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you click the arrow next to the Name box (the list box to the left of the formula bar) in Microsoft Excel, the items in the list box may not be displayed as expected. As a result, it may appear that the Name box is not working correctly.

NOTE: This problem does not occur in Microsoft Excel for Windows or Microsoft Excel for Windows NT.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if there are no globally named ranges in the workbook and no locally named ranges in the active worksheet.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, define a globally named range in the workbook or a locally named range in the active worksheet. After you do this, the Name box items are displayed when you click the box.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later, you can use the Name box to name ranges and select named ranges.

For example, you can name a range by following these steps:

1. Select the cell (or cells) that you want to name.

2. In the name box, type the name that you want to use, and then press 

   RETURN.
When you click the arrow next to the Name box, the Name box displays all of the globally named ranges in the workbook and the locally named ranges in the active worksheet. If you select one of these names, Microsoft Excel selects the appropriate range.

Additional query words: XL5 global local 

Keywords          : kbui xlui xlformula 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform          : MACINTOSH
Issue type        : kbbug

Last Reviewed: February 6, 1998