Hints and tips home » Excel hints and tips » Naming and Using Constants

Naming and Using Constants

Constants make calculations easier so worksheets are more easily understood. Constant values also need to be given relevant and memorably names. It is also easier to change the value of a constant.

For example:
Instead of entering 17.5% in each cell when you generate a VAT amount you could name a Constant "VAT" and assigning a "0.175" value to it. To do this:

From the 'Insert' menu select 'Name', then select 'Define'.

Enter the constant´s name as 'VAT' (no spaces allowed) in the 'Names in Workbook' line.

Enter the constant value of '0.175' in the 'Refers To' text box - making sure any other text has been deleted.

Click OK.

In Excel you may have cell 'B10' as containing an amount and in 'C10' you want to work out the VAT on the amount in 'B10'.

The formula would be

=B10*VAT

This formula will generate the amount of VAT only.

Added by Carlos on 26th September 2006

More Excel hints and tips, like:

• Line breaks in a cell
• edit and format multiple worksheets in one operation
• Formula for last day of month