subject: Unable To Delete Corrupt Defined Names In Excel Workbook? [print this page] In Excel, defined names are used to explain the meaning or content of a cell, a formula, or a constant. A defined name cannot be simply restricted to referencing a cell or a range of cells. For instance, you can have a defined name of MaxRows with a value 50, and you can use this Name instead of using the number. If you use the Name at different locations and wish to change the value, you just need to modify the definition and the new value will get automatically updated. However, at times you might come across various issues with an Excel workbook containing 'Defined Names'. These irregularities surface when an Excel workbook becomes corrupt, leaving the information either in an unformatted state or totally inaccessible. In such Excel workbook corruption scenarios, it is suggested you go for an Excel repair software.
Consider a scenario, wherein, you have an important Excel 2003 workbook with various defined names. Now, you wish to delete those unwanted defined names, but when you press 'Delete button' on the Defined Names dialog box, you might not be able to remove them.
Causes
You are not able to successfully delete Defined Names in the following conditions:
If you have a workbook which contains corrupt Defined Names ("__123Graph_APIE MEM") included from imported Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet files. These names often contain non-printable characters and are likely to create problems.
Or if you have a partially corrupt or completely corrupt workbook containing Defined Names
Resolution
The following Excel file repair tips must be considered in order to resolve the issue:
In order to eliminate these corrupt Defined Names, you must first rename them. Here is a list of the steps to be taken:
1.Select Tools>Options, and click the General tab
2.Change the current settings and click the check box next to 'R1C1 Reference Style.'
3.Press OK
4.You will get prompted by Excel to change the name of any Defined Name containing illegal characters
5.To delete the newly-renamed Defined Names, select Insert, name and define
6.Go to Tools, Options, General and set the RICI Refernce Style as per the earlier settings
In case of corrupt Excel workbook, you must download and bank upon a third-party Excel repair software.
The most trusted application for this purpose is Stellar Phoenix Excel Recovery. The tool repairs corrupt Excel files in all scenarios and supports MS Excel 2007, 2003, 2002 and 2000. You can use this Excel file repair application to recover all the components (text, images, charts, tables etc) of an Excel file in an absolutely safe manner.
