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INDIRECT
Returns the reference specified by a text string. References are immediately evaluated to display their contents. Use INDIRECT when you want to change the reference to a cell within a formula without changing the formula itself.
Syntax
INDIRECT(ref_text,a1)
Ref_text is a reference to a cell that contains an A1-style reference, an R1C1-style reference, a name defined as a reference, or a reference to a cell as a text string. If ref_text is not a valid cell reference, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value.
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If ref_text refers to another workbook (an external reference), the other workbook must be open. If the source workbook is not open, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value.
A1 is a logical value that specifies what type of reference is contained in the cell ref_text.
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If a1 is TRUE or omitted, ref_text is interpreted as an A1-style reference.
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If a1 is FALSE, ref_text is interpreted as an R1C1-style reference.
Example
The example may be easier to understand if you copy it to a blank spreadsheet.
How?
- Create a blank spreadsheet.
- Select the example in the Help topic.
Selecting an example from Help
- Press CTRL+C.
- In the spreadsheet, select cell A1, and press CTRL+V.
- To switch between viewing the formula that returns the result and the result in the cell, select the cell and press F2 and then ENTER, or click Commands and Options on the spreadsheet toolbar, click the Formula tab, and look in the Formula in active cell (active cell) box.
| Data | Data |
|---|---|
| B2 | 1.333 |
| B3 | 45 |
| George | 10 |
| 5 | 62 |
| Formula | Description (Result) |
| =INDIRECT($A$2) | Value of the reference in cell A2 (1.333) |
| =INDIRECT($A$3) | Value of the reference in cell A3 (45) |
| =INDIRECT($A$4) | If the cell B4 has the defined name "George", the value of the defined name is returned (10) |
| =INDIRECT("B"&$A$5) | Value of a reference in cell A5 (62) |
When you create a formula that refers to a cell, the reference to the cell will be updated if: (1) the cell is moved by pressing Cut to delete the cell or (2) the cell is moved because rows or columns are inserted or deleted. If you always want the formula to refer to the same cell regardless of whether the row above the cell is deleted or the cell is moved, use the INDIRECT spreadsheet function. For example, if you always want to refer to cell A10, use the following syntax:
=INDIRECT("A10")