

In Figure 3 I have created a VLOOKUP formula in cell H2 demonstrating the use of the table name. My naming convention uses a prefix of tbl to differentiate table names from range names. I have renamed the table to tblData – see top left of Figure 1. You can rename the table in the Design tab that opens when you click in the table. I have used the Format as Table icon on the table in Figure 1.Įxcel automatically names each table with a unique generic name e.g.
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Professional Development: Microsoft Excel 2016 Essentials - charts, tables, and images: learn to create attractive and well-organised representations of worksheet and workbook data in Microsoft Excel 2016.

Some keyboard shortcuts work slightly differently (in a positive way) when used inside formatted tables.There are extra options on the right-click menu and the Insert and Delete options work well with a formatted table.This occurs when creating or editing formulas and when new rows are added. Formulas are automatically copied down columns.Using a formatted table as a data source for a PivotTable means that any extra rows or columns are automatically included when the PivotTable is refreshed.Structured references are automatically created these are like range names and will be explained later.The headers are always visible as you scroll down the table.Filter icons are automatically added to the header row.The table range automatically expands (including the format) when you add new rows or columns to the table.By using the Format as Table icon you instruct Excel to treat a table like a basic database.įormatted tables have many advantages, such as: Unfortunately, most people think it is a formatting feature. The Format as Table icon on the Home ribbon tab was added in Excel 2007.
