Excel doesn't like certain table names (three letters plus numbers)?

[narnian_uk]

Hi all - quick question that's more a case of 'I'm interested in why Excel does this' rather than 'I have a problem I can't solve': to my surprise, I discovered today that Excel won't permit table names which comprise of some combinations of three letters (eg 'abc') followed by nothing but digits (ie 0-9). By way of example, it won't permit abc1 as a table name, or or efg1, abc10000 (but will permit abcd1, or abc1a) - it throws a 'The syntax of this name isn't correct' error; it will permit three-letter combinations that begin with x, y, or z (eg xab1, yfg2), however.

I expect this is well-known and I've just missed it, but if anyone would mind telling me why Excel does this, I'd be grateful!

 

[Georgiboy]

It is because those that are not working are actually ranges on the sheet.

 

[narnian_uk]

It is because those that are not working are actually ranges on the sheet.

That's... remarkable. Thank you.