How to Rename a Sheet in Excel (double-click the tab)

Double-click the tab

1. Double-click the sheet tab. The name turns editable.
2. Type the new name.
3. Press Enter.

Right-click

Right-click the tab › Rename.

Keyboard

Press Alt, H, O, R one after another, type the name, Enter.

Rules for sheet names

• Up to 31 characters.
• Not allowed: / \ ? * : [ ]
• Can’t be blank, and can’t be the word History.
• Two sheets in one file can’t share a name.

What happens to formulas

Excel updates formulas for you. =Sheet1!B2 becomes ='Sales 2026'!B2 — quotes appear because the name has a space. Only text inside INDIRECT is not updated.

Colour the tab too

Right-click › Tab Color makes important sheets easy to spot.

Related: add a new sheet · refer to another sheet