[Solved] Difference Between Name Box and Data Range

[dgsarnow]

I am working with OpenOffice 3.0rc4 on a Windows Vista environment

I am just looking to clarify the difference between a named range created by going to Data>Define Range and the name created by highlighting cells and typing a name into the Name Box to the left of the formula box. They seem to do the same thing. Can anyone explain the difference to me?

Cheers,

Dave

[Hagar Delest]

It's only a quicker tool to set the names, a kind of 'shortcut'. But exactly the same feature as far as I can see.

Thanks to add '[Solved]' at beginning of your first post title (edit button) if your issue has been fixed.

[acknak]

They both assign a name to a range of cells, but each type of name is distinct.

Data > Define Range defines a "database range" which is treated specially by some features (e.g. filters). That's the only difference I know of. The db range names can also be used in formulas, but they are less conveneint--as Hagar already mentioned.

[Villeroy]

Database ranges specify a database-like list by means of an absolute range-address and some additional options. If the data are imported from a database, if they are filtered, sorted or subtotalled all the settings are stored with this named thingy, so you can call Data>Refresh in order to refresh the sorting, filtering, subtotals and the import from database.

"Normal" range names, as also known in other spreadsheets, refer to an absolute range like database ranges if you create them in the name box. However they can also ...
- be relative (select A1, Ctrl+F3, NextBelow =A2)
- belong to all sheets (without sheet-name like like NextBelow)
- be constants (MyName ="Villeroy", VAT =0.16)
If a database range happens to have the same name as a "normal" named range, a formula will decide for the latter.

And then there are Insert>Labels>Define..., but that's a another story ...

[Nikos]

If a database range happens to have the same name as a "normal" named range, a formula will decide for the latter

Thank you!