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Customize field names in an external data range

This procedure applies only to data retrieved from a database, not to data retrieved from a text file (*.txt) or a Web query (*.iqy).

1. Insert a blank row above the external data range.

   How?

   1. Do one of the following:

      Insert new blank cells Select a range of cells where you want to insert the new blank cells. Select the same number of cells as you want to insert.

      Insert a single row Click a cell in the row immediately below where you want the new row. For example, to insert a new row above row 5, click a cell in row 5.

      Insert multiple rows Select rows immediately below where you want the new rows. Select the same number of rows as you want to insert.

      Insert a single column Click a cell in the column immediately to the right of where you want to insert the new column. For example, to insert a new column to the left of column B, click a cell in column B.

      Insert multiple columns Select columns immediately to the right of where you want to insert the new columns. Select the same number of columns as you want to insert.

   2. On the Insert menu, click Cells, Rows, or Columns.
   3. If you are inserting blank cells, click Shift cells right or Shift cells down to define where you want existing cells to move.

   Tip

   If there is formatting, you can use Insert Options to choose how to set the formatting of the inserted cells, rows, or columns.

2. Type the labels you want in the cells in the blank row.
3. Click a cell in the external data range, and then click Data Range Properties on the External Data toolbar.
4. In the External Data Range Properties dialog box, under Data formatting and layout, clear the Include field names check box, and then click OK.
5. To remove existing field names and refresh the external data range, click a cell in the external data range, and then click Refresh Data .

Note  When you retrieve data from a database, changes to column names in Microsoft Query are retained in the external data range. For information about changing column names in the query, see Microsoft Query Help.