Defining cell names starting with numbers?

**Onyxalis** · 11-21-2013, 10:48 AM

Hi,
I am doing some dependable drop-down lists, using the INDIRECT function. Is it in any way possible to define cell names, for the lists, starting with numbers (without an underscore)?
For example “1.2 Put name here”
The numbers are supposed to put the selections into the right place in a database later on. And I will have to define a LOT of different list options.
Thanks
//Jenny

**newdoverman** · 11-21-2013, 11:22 AM

These are the rules for defining names as taken from the Excel help file:

Valid characters The first character of a name must be a letter, an underscore character (_), or a backslash (\). Remaining characters in the name can be letters, numbers, periods, and underscore characters.

Note You cannot use the uppercase and lowercase characters "C", "c", "R", or "r" as a defined name, because they are all used as a shorthand for selecting a row or column for the currently selected cell when you enter them in a Name or Go To text box.
Cell references disallowed Names cannot be the same as a cell reference, such as Z$100 or R1C1.

Spaces are not valid Spaces are not allowed as part of a name. Use the underscore character (_) and period (.) as word separators; for example, Sales_Tax or First.Quarter.

Name length A name can contain up to 255 characters.

Case sensitivity Names can contain uppercase and lowercase letters. Excel does not distinguish between uppercase and lowercase characters in names. For example, if you created the name Sales and then create another name called SALES in the same workbook, Excel prompts you to choose a unique name.

**Onyxalis** · 11-22-2013, 03:27 AM

That was the answer I was expecting, but not the one I was hoping for. Now I will have to figure out another way to do dependant drop down lists as I really need to start with number series.
Thank you for your swift reply.
//Jenny

**newdoverman** · 11-22-2013, 11:03 AM

There is a work around to side-step the rules. If you can create a VLOOKUP table using your numbers as the lookup key, you can have legal names in the second column which can be used in the place of the illegal names that you want to use.

Upload a representative sample of what you want to do, and I will try to help you accomplish your goal.

**Onyxalis** · 11-25-2013, 06:52 AM

Hi, thank you for trying to help me out.

In the example I attach the text is in Swedish, but the approach will be the same I imagine.

I will create a form, where the answers will be saved to a database. I have several different questions where the answer shall be picked from a list. Then there will be a new selection based on what have already been chosen. The attached example is just a very small portion of all the questions and selection needed for the end result.

I have tried to solve the dependencies using the INDIRECT function and that is where my problems occur. I would prefer if the list could start with a series of digits and I would also like, if possible, to be able to have spaces between the words.
I was thinking about using the SUBSTITUTE function for the spaces, but having all words start with a capital letter is considered bad form in Swedish.

//Jenny

**newdoverman** · 11-25-2013, 10:33 AM

You have the right idea. To continue to the next levels follow the same procedure making lists based on the choices in the Drop Downs. I have created headings as an example based on your list entries and colour coded what goes with what. I think that it is self-explanatory.