you can define a name by simply typing the name in the name box -- the area
where you usually see the cell reference, like A1; to the left of the formula
bar. So that should enable you to avoid the Insert/Name/Define. And you can
speed that process up anyway by typing /ind, using the shortcut keys to get
to the same name.
Insert/Name/Create can create several names at once, but will not all point
to the same range -- it works like this: If I have
a b c
1 2 3
4 5 6 and select these 9 cells and use insert/name/create, it will
default to creating the names from the top row, and the named range "a" will
refer to the 2 cells containing 1 & 4, the name "b" will refer to 2 & 5, and
"c" will refer to 3 & 6. So it's a fast way to name ranges, but I don't think
it's what you want.
Bob Umlas
Excel MVP

"Hershmab" wrote:

I need to define a set of Named cell ranges referring to the same area in a
set of worksheets. I can do this, but only laboriously, using
Insert/Name/Define.

But there is another subcommand Insert/Name/CREATE which looks as if it
might make the task easier and so more foolproof. But I cannot find any
documentation on this command. When I try it out, it either returns a
meaningless error message, or does nothing. And there is nothing in HELP to
help.

Can anyone tell me where I can find the documentation for this subcommand?