How to Rename a Sheet in Excel (and Names It Won't Accept)

A workbook with tabs called Sheet1, Sheet2 and Sheet3 is a workbook nobody else can find their way round. Renaming tabs to Orders, Stock and Clients takes a few seconds each and makes the whole file easier to use, especially when you share it. Microsoft gives three ways to do it, and a short list of names Excel won't accept.

Three quick ways to rename a tab

1. Double-click the tab. The name highlights; type the new one and press Enter.
2. Right-click the tab and choose Rename, then type and press Enter.
3. Use the keyboard: press Alt, then H, then O, then R, type the new name and press Enter.

Double-clicking is the one I use. The keyboard route is handy if you're already moving between sheets with Ctrl+Page down and Ctrl+Page up, because you never need to touch the mouse.

Names Excel refuses

Here's the catch: Excel has rules for tab names, and if you break one it simply won't let you finish. Microsoft lists them:

Rule	Example that fails	Try instead
No more than 31 characters	A very long description of the tab	A shorter label
Not blank	An empty name	Any word
None of / \ ? * : [ ]	Orders 02/17/2016	Orders 02-17-2016
No apostrophe at the start or end	'Stock'	Stock or Bob's stock
Not the word History	A tab called only that word	Order history

The date example comes straight from Microsoft: 02/17/2016 isn't a valid sheet name, but 02-17-2016 is fine. Swap slashes for dashes and you're sorted. Apostrophes are allowed in the middle of a name, so Sam's orders works.

Why History is off limits

It looks odd, but Microsoft says History is a reserved word Excel uses internally, so you can't name a tab that on its own. Order history, History log or anything with another word added is fine.

Naming tabs so a workbook makes sense

• Keep names short so more tabs fit along the bottom. Orders beats All orders received from the website.
• Use the same pattern for repeating tabs, such as Jan, Feb, Mar, so they sort and read in order.
• Put the most used tab first. Drag a tab left or right to move it.
• Group related tabs side by side, so Orders and Returns sit together and Stock and Suppliers sit together.

What happens to formulas when you rename a sheet

Once you've renamed a tab, click into a formula or two on your other tabs that refer to it, such as a summary sheet pulling totals from Stock, and check they still point where you expect. It takes a minute and it's far easier than discovering a problem after you've sent the file to someone.

Short, plain names also make formulas easier to read when one tab refers to another. If you're building formulas that split totals across tabs, my guide to dividing in Excel walks through the basics.

Renaming the workbook file itself

A sheet name and a file name are different things. To rename the whole workbook, Microsoft says to find the file in File Explorer and press F2, or right-click and choose Rename. If the file's already open, File, Save As saves it under a new name, though that creates a copy and leaves the original where it was.

If you rename a file other people use, tell them, so nobody goes hunting for the old name in their recent files.

Renaming on a Mac or in a browser

Microsoft's rename page describes Excel on Windows. On a Mac or in a browser, the tabs sit along the bottom of the window in the same way, and the naming rules are the same, because they belong to the workbook file rather than the app. If double-clicking doesn't open the name for editing, try the right-click menu instead.

A tip for files you share with clients: give each tab a plain name before you send it, and delete or hide any working tabs. It looks more professional, and it stops people poking around a tab called Sheet4 wondering what it does. If you're setting up several similar tabs, my guide to copying a sheet in Excel saves you rebuilding each one.

Renaming lots of tabs at once

There's no built-in way to rename several tabs in one go, so if you've inherited a workbook with a dozen Sheet tabs, you'll be doing them one at a time. The quickest rhythm I've found is Ctrl+Page down to move to the next tab, then Alt, H, O, R to rename it, then repeat. It feels mechanical, but you'll get through twelve tabs in a couple of minutes without reaching for the mouse.

While you're there, delete any empty tabs you don't need. Right-click and choose Delete. Fewer, clearly named tabs make a workbook far easier to hand over.

The short version from me

Double-click the tab, type, press Enter. Keep it under 31 characters, swap slashes for dashes, and don't call a tab History. That's honestly all there is to it, and a few minutes renaming tabs makes any workbook feel organised.

Frequently asked questions

How do I rename a sheet in Excel?

Double-click the sheet tab, type the new name and press Enter. Right-clicking the tab and choosing Rename also works.

What is the shortcut to rename a sheet in Excel?

Press Alt, then H, O, R, type the new name and press Enter.

Why can't I rename my Excel sheet?

The name may be too long, contain a character such as / or ?, start or end with an apostrophe, or be the reserved word History. The workbook may also be protected.

How long can an Excel sheet name be?

Up to 31 characters.

Can an Excel sheet name include an apostrophe?

Yes, in the middle of a name, such as Sam's orders. Microsoft says a name can't begin or end with one.