3 Simple Ways to Display Excel Sheet Name in Cells

When working with multiple sheets in Microsoft Excel, it can be incredibly useful to reference or display the current sheet name within the cells themselves. Whether for navigation, organization, or simply for better documentation, knowing how to quickly insert and update a sheet name can streamline your workflow significantly. In this guide, we will explore three straightforward methods to show an Excel sheet name in any cell you need, catering to both basic and advanced Excel users.

Method 1: Using CELL Function

The simplest way to display the sheet name in a cell is by using Excel’s CELL function combined with some text manipulation functions like FIND, MID, and LEN. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Select the cell where you want to display the sheet name.
2. Enter the following formula into the Formula Bar:
=MID(CELL(“filename”,A1),FIND(“]”,CELL(“filename”,A1))+1,50)

📝 Note: A1 in the CELL function doesn’t have to be A1; any cell on the active sheet will work, but keep it consistent within the formula.

3. This formula will extract the sheet name from the workbook’s full path and file name.

Here’s what each part of the formula does:

• CELL(“filename”,A1) returns the full file path in brackets like “[WorkbookPath]SheetName.”
• FIND(“]”,CELL(“filename”,A1)) locates the position of the closing bracket.
• MID(…) function then starts extracting characters from the string, right after the closing bracket, up to a specified length (50 characters should cover most sheet names).

This method dynamically updates the sheet name whenever you rename the sheet or move to another sheet in the workbook.

Method 2: Using VBA Macros

If you’re comfortable with Excel’s VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), you can create a user-defined function (UDF) to fetch the current sheet name. Here are the steps:

1. Open the VBA editor by pressing Alt + F11 or by navigating through Developer > Visual Basic.
2. In the Project Explorer, right-click on any existing workbook/project name, choose Insert > Module to insert a new module.
3. Copy and paste the following code into the module:

Function GetSheetName() As String
    GetSheetName = ActiveSheet.Name
End Function

4. Back in Excel, you can now use the function GetSheetName() in any cell to display the current sheet’s name:
=GetSheetName()

This method is beneficial if you frequently need to reference the sheet name, as it’s easy to update and maintain, especially if you’re already using macros for other tasks.

Method 3: Using Name Manager

For those who prefer not to use formulas or VBA, Excel’s Name Manager can be used to create a dynamic named range that updates to display the sheet name:

1. Go to Formulas > Define Name on the ribbon.
2. In the New Name dialog box, set the following:
• Name: SheetName (or any name you prefer)
• Scope: Leave as Workbook
• Refers to: Type this formula: =RIGHT(GET.WORKBOOK(1),LEN(GET.WORKBOOK(1))-FIND(“]”,GET.WORKBOOK(1)))
3. Click OK.
4. Now, whenever you want to display the sheet name, simply use:
=SheetName

This method is particularly useful if you want to reference the sheet name in multiple places or if you need to ensure that the name updates automatically whenever the sheet name changes.

By incorporating these methods into your Excel toolkit, you can enhance the clarity and functionality of your spreadsheets. Each approach has its advantages, whether it's simplicity, flexibility, or integration with existing Excel features.

Can I use these methods across different Excel versions?

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Yes, the CELL function works across most modern Excel versions. The VBA method might require adjustment for very old versions of Excel, and the Name Manager method should work in Excel 2010 and later.

Is there a way to update the sheet name automatically?

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The formulas described automatically update when you rename a sheet. However, if you’re using a static value or manual update, you would need to manually update the cell or use VBA for real-time updates.

How can I display the name of a specific sheet rather than the active one?

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You can use the Name Manager method and reference a particular sheet’s name with VBA or a custom formula, but this would not be dynamic and would require updates if sheet names change.