Dynamic Named Range Based upon Column A

[spydey]

Maybe this is a simple thing and I am over complicating it.

I think that I have it solved but I just wanted to check to make sure, so any input you have is greatly appreciated!!

I need to create several dynamic named ranges, each for a different column. They are single column ranges, 1 dimensional.

The issue is that for all columns, except A, there are blanks in between the different data sets.

Example, column B might have data spanning from rows B1:B30, then B50:B150, then B300:B2000. In between each of those sets it is blank.

Column A has no blanks from the beginning of the data set to the end, so it could span for example A1:A2305. It is continuous.

All other columns will never have data past rows where A does not contain data. Whichever row A's data ends on, that is the last row of data for all columns.

I need to set a dynamic named range based upon the number of rows in column A, but for the other columns which have blanks in between their data sets, so that rows are in the named range, whether the row is blank or not for that particular column.

I was thinking something like this:

=D1:Index($D:$D,CountA($A:$A))

I would change the "D" column references to the correct column as needed. Column A reference would stay the same for all columns.

My hope is that this would give me a dynamic named range for the column in question (in the example it is "D") and would include all rows, as per the number of rows in column A which have data.

I was avoiding using Offset because of its volatility.

Do any of you have any suggestions, corrections to my formula, ideas, etc?

Thanks in advance!!

-Spydey

 

[Jerry Sullivan]

Hi Spydey,

I think that approach makes sense. The only slight variation you might consider is to use another named range "LastRow", refers to =CountA($A:$A) and reference that for each column-specific name. Not a big difference, but it could eliminate the need to modify each column specific named range if you change the column that has no blanks or add blank rows above your dataset.

 

[Fazza]

if it suits, have VBA create the defined names. then they can be simple - without any formulas

such as on some event, like worksheet deactivate (if it suits)
say a bit like Jerry said,
LastRow = cells(rows.count,1).end(xlup).row
someArray = array("A", "D", "G", "M", "Q")
for i = lbound(someArray) to ubound(someArray)
range(someArray(i) & "1").resize(LastRow).name = "col" & someArray & "_name"
next i

that just to give the idea

 

[spydey]

Hi Spydey,

I think that approach makes sense. The only slight variation you might consider is to use another named range "LastRow", refers to =CountA($A:$A) and reference that for each column-specific name. Not a big difference, but it could eliminate the need to modify each column specific named range if you change the column that has no blanks or add blank rows above your dataset.

That is a fantastic idea!! Have one named range for the Last Row and reference that named range in my formula instead of writing the ending of the formula 50 times!!

Great recommendation. Thanks Jerry!!

-Spydey

 

[spydey]

if it suits, have VBA create the defined names. then they can be simple - without any formulas

such as on some event, like worksheet deactivate (if it suits)
say a bit like Jerry said,
LastRow = cells(rows.count,1).end(xlup).row
someArray = array("A", "D", "G", "M", "Q")
for i = lbound(someArray) to ubound(someArray)
range(someArray(i) & "1").resize(LastRow).name = "col" & someArray & "_name"
next i

that just to give the idea

Interesting ..... I hadn't thought about using VBA for this particular purpose but looking at it now, it might not be a bad idea. It would eliminate a number of complications that currently exist.

Thanks Fazza, I will have to investigate a bit more.

-Spydey