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Introducing Array Formulas
FIGURE 17.4
A 3 × 4 array entered into a 10 × 5 cell range.
Naming Array Constants
You can create an array constant, give it a name, and then use this named array in a formula. Technically, a 17
named array is a named formula.
CROSS-REF
CROSS-REF Chapter 5 covers the topic of names and named formulas.
Figure 17.5 shows a named array being created with the help of the New Name dialog box. (Access this dia-
log box by choosing Formulas ➪ Defined Names ➪ Define Name.) The name of the array is DayNames,
and it refers to the following array constant:
{“Sun”,”Mon”,”Tue”,”Wed”,”Thu”,”Fri”,”Sat”}
Notice that, in the New Name dialog box, the array is defined (in the Refers To box) using a leading equal
sign (=). Without this equal sign, the array is interpreted as a text string rather than an array. Also, you must
type the curly brackets when defining a named array constant; Excel does not enter them for you.
After creating this named array, you can use it in a formula. Figure 17.6 shows a worksheet that contains a
single array formula entered into the range A1:G1. The formula is
{=DayNames}

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