Defined Names - Excel Performance

[smitpau]

Hi,

I would like to use Defined Names more prevalently in my Excel files.

This comment directly below taken from decisionmodels.com has given me pause for thought.

"Defined Names are recalculated each time a formula that directly refers to the name is recalculated"

To be honest I don't quite fully understand what it means, and practically when they should/should not be used.
For example I planned on having Inputs so say Interest Rate as a defined name range but wonder if that would have a performance impact.

If the defined name is just an input value and not a formula should that be okay as there would be nothing to recalculate (within the defined name)?

Thanks,


Source:

How the Excel Smart Recalculation Engine works - Decision Models

Microsoft Excel Calculation Secrets and optimisation tips, calculation methods, calculation sequence, dependencies and memory limits.

www.decisionmodels.com

 

[Jaafar Tribak]

If you mean that the name refers to a constant, it won't recalculate.

You can alwys test if there is a recalculation by placing this code in the Thisworkbook Module and performing a recalculation ALT+CTRL+F9 (assuming no formulaes)

Private Sub Workbook_SheetCalculate(ByVal Sh As Object)
    MsgBox "Calculating"
End Sub

 

[smitpau]

Okay thanks.

So basically would it be correct to interpret that quote above as don't put formulas in defined names?

 

[Jaafar Tribak]

Okay thanks.

So basically would it be correct to interpret that quote above as don't put formulas in defined names?

I am not very familiar working with defined names but I guess it is fair to assume that .
A sheet calculates only if at least one argument in a formula changes or with volatile functions ... No formulaes = No recalculation
And as I said, you can always test this in the Sheet calculate event.

 

[smitpau]

Okay thanks for the help Jaafar Tribak I'll give that code a go.

 

[Jaafar Tribak]

Okay thanks for the help Jaafar Tribak I'll give that code a go.

Create the defined name in blank workbook, add the code in its workbook module, edit one of the sheets to cause a recalculation or force a recalculation via ALT+CTRL+F9.
The Msgbox won't come up meaning the defined name isn't recalculated.

 

[smitpau]

So if I did something like, (Index(Defined name) to get a value, multiplied by 2), that code would also check if the defined name has been recalculated.