How to completly remove a table/table name to make it available for reuse via VBA

Kenneth Green 

When you remove a table and need to reuse the table name immediately in VBA without closing and reopening the workbook, you have to ensure that all traces of the table are completely cleared. Sometimes Excel keeps metadata about the table, which can prevent immediate reuse of the name. Here is a step-by-step approach to completely remove a table and make its name available for reuse:

Steps to Completely Remove a Table and Make Its Name Available for Reuse

1. Remove the Table: Convert the table back to a range and delete the range.
2. Clear Connections and PivotTables: Make sure any connections or PivotTables related to the table are removed.
3. Clear Cached Names: Ensure the table name is removed from the workbook's internal cache.

Here is a VBA macro that performs these steps:

Vba Code is untested backup your file.

Sub RemoveTableAndReuseName()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Dim tbl As ListObject
    Dim tableName As String
    Dim tableExists As Boolean
    Dim wb As Workbook

    ' Set the workbook and worksheet
    Set wb = ThisWorkbook
    Set ws = wb.Worksheets("Sheet1") ' Adjust as necessary

    ' Define the table name you want to remove and reuse
    tableName = "Table1" ' Change to your table name

    ' Check if the table exists
    tableExists = False
    For Each tbl In ws.ListObjects
        If tbl.Name = tableName Then
            tableExists = True
            Exit For
        End If
    Next tbl

    ' If the table exists, delete it
    If tableExists Then
        ' Convert table back to range
        tbl.Unlist

        ' Clear the range (optional)
        tbl.Range.Clear
    End If

    ' Check for any remaining PivotTables and connections related to the table
    Dim pt As PivotTable
    For Each pt In ws.PivotTables
        If pt.SourceData = tableName Then
            pt.TableRange2.Clear
        End If
    Next pt

    ' Remove any connections (this might be redundant, but good to check)
    Dim conn As WorkbookConnection
    For Each conn In wb.Connections
        If conn.Name = tableName Then
            conn.Delete
        End If
    Next conn

    ' Ensure the name is removed from the Name Manager
    On Error Resume Next
    wb.Names(tableName).Delete
    On Error GoTo 0

    ' The table name should now be reusable
    ' Code to create a new table with the same name
    Dim newTable As ListObject
    Set newTable = ws.ListObjects.Add(xlSrcRange, ws.Range("A1:B10"), , xlYes) ' Adjust range as necessary
    newTable.Name = tableName

    MsgBox "Table " & tableName & " has been removed and the name is now reusable.", vbInformation
End Sub

Explanation of the Steps in the VBA Macro

1. Identify and Unlist the Table: The macro checks if the table with the specified name exists and unlists it, converting it back to a normal range.
2. Clear the Range: Optionally, clears the data in the range that was previously a table.
3. Remove Related PivotTables and Connections: The macro checks and clears any PivotTables or connections that might still be referencing the table.
4. Remove the Name from the Name Manager: Ensures that any lingering named ranges associated with the table are deleted.
5. Reuse the Table Name: Finally, creates a new table with the same name to demonstrate that the name is now reusable.

Running the Macro

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
2. Insert a new module via Insert > Module.
3. Copy and paste the provided VBA code into the module.
4. Press F5 to run the macro or call the macro from your worksheet.

This approach ensures that all references and metadata related to the table are removed, allowing the table name to be reused immediately. The text, steps and code were created with the help of AI.

My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

Hope this will help you.

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