How to Stop Name Conflict Dialog Box in Excel (3 Effective Ways)

Get FREE Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions!

When you try to move or copy one or more worksheets to a destination sheet in Excel, the Name Conflict dialog box may appear, referring to an error in the workbook. Generally, it occurs from the Named Range (when the copied and the destination worksheet have the same named range). The conflict error may bother you simultaneously. If you are looking for a way to get rid of this problem, then you have come to the right place. In this article, I will show you how to stop the name conflict dialog box in Excel.


How to Stop Name Conflict Dialog Box in Excel: 3 Ways

In this section, you will find 3 effective ways to stop name conflict dialog box in Excel. I will demonstrate them one by one here. Let’s check them now!


1. Stop Name Conflict Dialog Box with Existing Version

Name conflict error is induced from the named range; you can either keep the named range or change the name. If you want to keep the name and get rid of the problem with the existing version of the named range, then proceed with the following steps.

Steps:

  • First, select the worksheet you want to move or copy and right-click on it. For selecting multiple sheets, press CTRL and keep selecting the sheets.
  • Next, a list of options will appear. Here, click on Move or Copy.

  • Now, a dialog box will appear. Select move to end and mark the Create a copy field (if you want to make a copy, otherwise keep the field unmarked). Click OK.

Copy sheet to induce name conflict dialog box

  • After that, the name conflict error box will appear, describing a named range that already exists in the workbook. If you want to make your copy with this existing version of the name, click Yes on the dialog box. So, the problem for this named range is solved.

  • Next, if you have more named ranges, then the dialog box will again appear with a different named range.

  • So, the easiest way to get rid of this for a lot of named ranges is to click on the Yes to All field (in case you want to move on with the existing named range).

Click Yes to All on Name Conflict Error Box in Excel

Read More: How to Create a Dialog Box in Excel


2. Rename the Version to Stop Name Conflict Dialog Box

In the above procedure, you have seen that you can stop the dialog box in the case of moving with the existing name. But if you want to change the named range, then follow the steps below.

Steps:

  • Firstly, open the error box just like Method 1.
  • Next, as you want to change the named range, click No on the error box

Click No to Name Conflict Error box in Excel

  • Then, the Name Conflict pop-up box will open. It will show the already existing name. Here, in the New name field, type anything that you want as the new name range. Now, click OK and your worksheets will be copied now with the newly applied name range.

Stop Name Conflict Dialog Box in Excel

  • If you open the Name Manager box (from the Formulas tab and Defined Names group), then you can see the previous name and the newly applied name.

Name Manager Box to compare range names in Excel

Read More: How to Open the Insert Function Dialog Box in Excel


3. With Duplicate Range Names

The Name Conflict error won’t occur when you move or copy any single sheet in an Excel workbook. But in the case of copying a worksheet, if you open the Name Manager box, you will find that the scope of the duplicate names is confined to the respective worksheet, not along the workbook.

Read More: Dialog Box Launcher in Excel


Resolve If Name Conflict Error Occurs in Excel

If you don’t want the name conflict error to happen again, then you have to solve the problem thoroughly. The following steps will be helpful in this regard:

  • First, open the Name Manager dialog box. The keyboard shortcut to open the dialog box is CTRL+F3.
  • On the right side of the dialog box, you will find a menu with a dropdown: Filter.

  • Here, click on the dropdown menu, and a list of options will be available. Select the Names with Errors.

Name with Error in Name Manager Box in Excel

  • As a result, the names will be filtered, and the dialog box will show only the names with errors.
  • Now, select all the names with errors and click Delete.

Now, if you move or copy any worksheet or multiple worksheets, the Name Conflict dialog box won’t bother you again.

Read More: How to Display Excel Options Dialog Box 


 Things to Keep in Mind

  • Keep answering the question in the error box.
  • Click Yes or Yes to All to keep the existing name and click No if you want to change the name.
  • Press SHIFT+CTRL+ESC to abandon Excel after the error happens. This is quicker than task manager (ALT+CTRL+DELETE).

Conclusion

I have shown you some methods to stop the name conflict dialog box in Excel in this article. I hope this article has shed some light on your way. If you have better methods, questions, or feedback regarding this article, please don’t forget to share them in the comment box. Have a great day!

Stay connected!


What is ExcelDemy?

ExcelDemy - Learn Excel & Get Excel Solutions Center provides online Excel training , Excel consultancy services , free Excel tutorials, free support , and free Excel Templates for Excel professionals and businesses. Feel free to contact us with your Excel problems.
Rafiul Hasan
Rafiul Hasan

Rafiul Hasan, holding a BSc in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, contributes significantly to the ExcelDemy project with almost 1.6 years of dedicated work. Currently an Excel and VBA Content Developer, he has a passion for problem-solving. Authoring over 100 articles for ExcelDemy showcases expertise in Microsoft Office Suites and Data Analysis. In addition to content development, Rafiul actively engages with the ExcelDemy forum, offering valuable solutions to user queries and... Read Full Bio

2 Comments
  1. hi, thanks for your information. I have another question is “Why excel in my computer doesnt have “Yes to all” button? which version excel have it? Can you let me know. Thanks

    • Hi DIEP TRAN,
      The “Yes to all” button is a feature in Excel that allows you to apply a selected action to all the occurrences of the same conflict during a process. This button is usually available in the Name Manager dialog box, which pops up when you create, edit or delete names in your workbook.

      The availability of the “Yes to all” button may vary depending on the version of Excel you are using. However, in most versions of Excel, including the latest version, which is Excel 2021, the “Yes to all” button should be available in the Name Manager dialog box.

      If you are not seeing the “Yes to all” button in the Name Manager dialog box, it could be that the dialog box is not showing all the options. You can try expanding the dialog box to see if the “Yes to all” button is hidden or check your Excel settings to ensure that the option is enabled.

      Overall, it’s best to consult the specific version of Excel you are using or refer to the documentation to learn more about the availability and functionality of the “Yes to all” button in Excel.

      Regards
      Rafiul | ExcelDemy Team

Leave a reply

Advanced Excel Exercises with Solutions PDF

 

 

ExcelDemy
Logo