Return the names associated with DCIDs

The =DCGETNAME formula returns the names associated with given DCIDs to a cell or range of cells.

Formula

=DCGETNAME(dcids)

Required arguments

• dcids - A node or range of cells representing multiple nodes, identified by their DCIDs.

Returns

The names associated with given node DCIDs to a cell or a range of cells.

Examples

This section contains examples of using DCGETNAME to return the names associated with given DCIDs.

Note: Be sure to follow the instructions for for enabling the Sheets add-on before trying these examples.

Example 1: Retrieve the name of a place by its DCID

To retrieve the name of a place by its DCID:

1. Place your cursor in the cell where you want to add a DCID; in this case, cell A1, and enter geoId/06.
2. Move to the cell where you want to retrieve the place name.
3. Enter the formula =DCGETNAME(A1) to retrieve the name. California populates the cell.

Example 2: Retrieve the names of a list of power plants

To retrieve the names of a list of power plants:

1. Enter into column A the DCIDs that are shown in the following image.
2. In cell B2, enter the formula =DCGETNAME(A2:A4). The names of the power plants for each DCID populate column B.

Example 3: Retrieve the names of a list of statistical variables

Statistical variables are also nodes in the Data Commons knowledge with a DCID. To retrieve the names of a list of statistical variables:

1. Enter into column A the DCIDs that are shown in the following image.
2. In cell B2, enter the formula =DCGETNAME(A2:A4). The names of the variables for each DCID populate column B.

Error responses

If a DCID does not exist, the =DCGETNAME formula does not return a value. For example, because the DCID geoId/123123123 does not exist, no value is returned to cell B1 in the following sheet:

If you provide an empty cell for a DCID, the =DCGETNAME formula returns a value of #ERROR!, as shown show in the following image:

Page last updated: October 24, 2025 • Send feedback about this page