3 Ways to Rename Multiple Excel Sheets Instantly

Utilizing VBA for Batch Renaming Sheets

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is an exceptionally powerful tool within Microsoft Excel, allowing users to automate tasks with scripts. Here’s how you can rename multiple sheets in an Excel workbook:

VBA Code for Batch Renaming Sheets:

<pre><code class="language-vba">
Sub RenameSheets()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim i As Integer
    i = 1
    For Each ws In ThisWorkbook.Worksheets
        ws.Name = "NewSheet" & i
        i = i + 1
    Next ws
End Sub
</code></pre>

• How to Implement:

1. Open VBA Editor: Press Alt + F11 in Excel to open the VBA editor.

2. Insert Module: Click Insert > Module to add a new module.

3. Paste the Code: Copy and paste the VBA script above into the module.

4. Run the Script: Close the VBA editor, then press Alt + F8, select RenameSheets, and click Run.

💡 Note: Ensure you save your workbook in macro-enabled format (.xlsm) to avoid losing your VBA code.

Using Excel Power Query to Rename Sheets

Excel’s Power Query is primarily known for data transformation, but it can also be adapted for renaming multiple sheets.

Steps to Rename Sheets with Power Query:

1. Activate Power Query: From Excel’s Data tab, choose From Other Sources > From Workbook.

2. Select Workbook: Browse and open the workbook whose sheets you want to rename.

3. Connect and Load: After selecting, click Transform Data to open the Power Query Editor.

4. Add a Custom Column: In the Power Query Editor, click Add Column > Custom Column and enter the following formula:

<pre><code class="language-m">
"Sheet" & Number.ToText([Column Index] + 1, "000")
</code></pre>

1. Rename Sheets: Right-click each sheet in the Query Editor and choose Rename, giving each sheet a name according to the custom column.

2. Apply Changes: Click Close & Load to rename the sheets and return to Excel.

⚠️ Note: Changes made with Power Query are saved within the query, not in the workbook itself. You'll need to refresh the query to reapply the renaming.

Third-Party Add-Ins for Quick Sheet Renaming

Sometimes, native Excel features might not be sufficient, and third-party add-ins can provide a straightforward solution for renaming sheets.

• Recommended Add-Ins:
  • Ablebits Ultimate Suite for Excel
  • Kutools for Excel

Using Ablebits to Rename Sheets:

1. Install Add-In: Download and install Ablebits Ultimate Suite for Excel.

2. Access Tool: Go to the Ablebits Tools tab in Excel.

3. Rename Sheets: Click Rename Sheets, select the option to name sheets in a sequence, and confirm.

Using Kutools to Rename Sheets:

1. Install Kutools: Add the Kutools add-in to your Excel.

2. Navigate to Tool: In Kutools, find the Workbook tool tab.

3. Batch Rename: Choose Batch Rename Sheets, customize your renaming rules, and apply.

Both add-ins offer intuitive interfaces that simplify the process of renaming multiple sheets.

Final Thoughts:

Renaming multiple sheets in Excel can be streamlined with VBA scripting, Power Query, or third-party add-ins. Whether you prefer coding your own solution, transforming data with Power Query, or using add-ins for simplicity, there’s a method suited to every level of Excel user:

• Automation: VBA provides a customizable, automatic solution for users comfortable with coding.
• Data Transformation: Power Query, while primarily for data, can be harnessed for batch renaming.
• Simplicity: Add-ins like Ablebits or Kutools offer user-friendly interfaces for quick batch operations.

Each method has its place, depending on your comfort with Excel’s features and your workflow preferences. Experiment with these techniques to find which one aligns best with your needs for efficiency and flexibility.

Can VBA rename sheets in a closed workbook?

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Yes, VBA can rename sheets in a closed workbook, but this requires more complex VBA scripting that opens the workbook, makes the changes, and then closes it.

What if I need to rename sheets based on cell values?

+

You can modify the VBA script to reference cell values within each sheet for the new names. This requires editing the VBA code to include this functionality.

Are there limitations to using Power Query for renaming sheets?

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Power Query is primarily for data transformation. Renaming sheets with Power Query requires that the sheets already exist, and any new sheets added won’t be renamed automatically by the query.