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How to save a LAMBDA as a named function in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:LAMBDA (reusable formulas)Excel & Google Sheets
=TRUNCTEXT(A2, 30)Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1In Excel: open Formulas → Name Manager → New. In Google Sheets: open Data → Named Functions → Add new function.
- 2Give the function a clear ALL-CAPS name (e.g. TRUNCTEXT). Names follow the same rules as cell names — no spaces, not an existing function name.
- 3Define the LAMBDA body. For TRUNCTEXT: LAMBDA(text, n, IF(LEN(text)>n, LEFT(text, n) & "…", text)). In Excel, paste this into the "Refers to" field. In Sheets, enter parameter names separately then the body formula.
- 4Add a description and argument hints so colleagues see helpful tooltips when typing the function name.
- 5Call the named function from any cell: =TRUNCTEXT(A2, 30) — Excel/Sheets resolves it the same way as any built-in.
Tips
- Named LAMBDA functions are scoped to the workbook (Excel) or spreadsheet (Sheets) — they do not carry over to other files unless you copy the Name Manager entry or export the function definition.
- In Sheets, named functions support argument descriptions that appear in the autocomplete tooltip — always fill these in for shared files.
- Test the LAMBDA inline first (=LAMBDA(text, n, ...)({"hello world"}, 5)) before saving it as a named function, to confirm the logic is correct.
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Frequently asked
Can named LAMBDA functions call other named LAMBDA functions?
Yes, in both Excel and Sheets. You can build a library of composable custom functions where one named function references another.
How do I share named functions between workbooks in Excel?
Named functions are not shared automatically. Copy the formula from Name Manager and recreate it in the destination workbook, or use an Excel add-in template that carries the names.
Are named LAMBDA functions available to VBA or Office Scripts?
No. Named LAMBDA functions are a formula-layer feature only. VBA and Office Scripts cannot call or define them — those require their own function syntax.
More on LAMBDA (reusable formulas)
See all →Reference
LAMBDA
Defines a reusable custom function using named parameters and a formula body, letting you call it like any built-in function — no VBA or scripts needed.
How-toHow to write a recursive LAMBDA function
Build self-referencing recursive functions using LAMBDA with the Excel Name Manager or Google Sheets named functions — for tasks like factorial, Fibonacci, or tree traversal.
How-toHow to use LAMBDA with MAP across a range
Use MAP with a LAMBDA to apply a custom formula to every cell in a range in Excel 365 and Google Sheets, returning a transformed array without helper columns.
How-toHow to use LAMBDA with REDUCE for cumulative math
Use REDUCE with a LAMBDA to fold a range into a single accumulated value in Excel 365 and Google Sheets — perfect for running totals, products, or custom aggregations.
How-toHow to use LAMBDA with SCAN for a running balance
Use SCAN with a LAMBDA to compute a running balance or cumulative total in Excel 365 and Google Sheets, returning one result per row without helper columns.
How-toHow to use BYROW and BYCOL to apply a LAMBDA per row or column
BYROW and BYCOL apply a LAMBDA to each row or column of a range in Excel 365 and Google Sheets, returning a per-row or per-column result without helper rows or columns.