How to Display Sheet Names in Excel Easily

Displaying Sheet Names in Excel with Formulas

Excel is a powerful tool for organizing, analyzing, and presenting data. A common challenge users face is how to reference or display sheet names dynamically within their workbook. While Excel does not provide a direct function to display sheet names, there are several clever workarounds and formulas you can use. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to easily display sheet names in your Excel spreadsheets:

Using the CELL Function with INDIRECT

One of the most straightforward methods to display the name of the current sheet involves combining the CELL and INDIRECT functions. Here's how you can do it:

1. Enter the Formula: In any cell, type the following formula:

   =CELL("filename",A1)
   

   This formula asks Excel for the file name of the workbook, including the full path, worksheet name, and file extension. However, it returns a blank if the cell referenced in the formula (A1 in this example) is empty.

2. Extract the Sheet Name: To isolate just the sheet name from the returned result, you'll need to use the MID, SEARCH, and LEN functions. Here's the extended formula:

   =MID(CELL("filename",A1),SEARCH("]",CELL("filename",A1))+1,255)-SEARCH("]",CELL("filename",A1))
   

   • MID extracts a portion of text from the string, starting from the position right after the last closing bracket (which separates the path from the sheet name).
   • SEARCH finds the position of the closing bracket in the file name string.
   • LEN calculates the length of the file name to ensure we extract only the sheet name.

3. Dynamic Update: This formula dynamically updates when you move to a different sheet, displaying the current sheet's name.

   ⚠️ Note: This method assumes that your cell A1 (or the cell you reference) contains some data. If A1 is empty, the CELL function will not work.

Using Named Ranges

Another effective approach involves creating named ranges that reference cell values across different sheets, which can then be used to display sheet names:

1. Create a Named Range: Go to Formulas > Define Name, and enter a name like "SheetList".

2. Set Formula for the Named Range: In the Refers to field, enter this formula:

   =GET.WORKBOOK(1)&T(";")
   

   This formula captures all the sheet names in the workbook and concatenates them with semicolons as separators.

   💡 Note: This formula requires VBA to be enabled in Excel since it uses a macro function.

3. Extract Sheet Names: In a cell, you can then use the CHOOSE and INDIRECT functions along with this named range to display a specific sheet name:

   =CHOOSE(1,MID(SheetList, FIND("[", SheetList) + 1, FIND("]", SheetList) - FIND("[", SheetList) - 1))
   

Using VBA for More Flexibility

If you are comfortable with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), you can create custom functions to display sheet names:

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

2. Insert a Module: Click Insert > Module.

3. Write the Code: Paste the following VBA code:

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

   This function returns the name of the currently active sheet when called from within a cell.

4. Use in Excel: In any cell, type =GetSheetName() to display the name of the current sheet.

Each of these methods has its advantages:

• Formulas are great for dynamic updates without needing to change VBA settings.
• Named Ranges offer a more universal approach across sheets but require some setup.
• VBA provides the most flexibility but requires user enablement of macros, which might not be suitable in environments with strict security settings.

To summarize, displaying sheet names in Excel can be achieved through various techniques, each suited for different needs and user comfort levels. From the simplicity of cell functions to the power of VBA, Excel offers multiple avenues to enhance your spreadsheets' functionality and readability. By implementing these methods, you can make your workbooks more interactive and easier to navigate, saving time and reducing errors in data management.

Can I use these methods in a shared workbook?

+

Yes, but be cautious with VBA-enabled workbooks as macro settings might prevent these solutions from working correctly in shared environments.

What if I want to display all sheet names at once?

+

You can use the named range approach or write a more complex VBA script to list all sheet names in a specific cell or range.

Can I display sheet names in Excel Online?

+

Some of these methods, particularly those involving formulas, will work in Excel Online. However, VBA scripts are not supported, limiting custom function solutions.

Will these formulas update if I rename sheets?

+

Yes, the formulas dynamically update to reflect the current sheet names as they are changed in real-time.