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Lookup & Reference All versions ◉ 38 views Volatile

=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.

Applies To: Excel for Microsoft 365Excel for Microsoft 365 for MacExcel 2024Excel 2024 for MacExcel 2021Excel 2021 for MacExcel 2019Excel 2016
=INDIRECT(ref_text, [a1])
Hover argument names in the table for details.
Output typeReference
Popularity55 / 100
VolatileYes
Dynamic ArrayNo
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◧ Arguments

ArgumentTypeRequiredDescription
ref_text Text Required 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. 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. Note External references are not supported in Excel Web App. If ref_text refers to a cell range outside the row limit of 1,048,576 or the column limit of 16,384 (XFD), INDIRECT returns a #REF! error.
a1 Logical Optional A logical value that specifies what type of reference is contained in the cell ref_text. If a1 is TRUE or omitted, ref_text is interpreted as an A1-style reference. If a1 is FALSE, ref_text is interpreted as an R1C1-style reference.

▣ Examples

▦ Data
CellValue
A2 B2
B2 1.333
A3 B3
B3 45
A4 George
B4 10
A5 5
B5 62
A6 B2
B6 1.333
A7 B3
B7 45
A8 George
B8 10
A9 5
B9 62
Value of the reference in cell A2. The reference is to cell B2, which contains the value 1.333. =INDIRECT(A2)
Result: 1.333
Value of the reference in cell A3. The reference is to cell B3, which contains the value 45. =INDIRECT(A3)
Result: 45
Because cell B4 has the defined name "George," the reference to that defined name is to cell B4, which contains the value 10. =INDIRECT(A4)
Result: 10
Combines "B" with the value in A5, which is 5. This, in turn, refers to cell B5, which contains the value 62. =INDIRECT("B"&A5)
Result: 62

⚠ Common Errors

#REF! If ref_text is not a valid cell reference, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value. If the source workbook is not open, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value. If ref_text refers to a cell range outside the row limit of 1,048,576 or the column limit of 16,384 (XFD), INDIRECT returns a #REF! error.
Fix: Check the sheet name and the constructed address

⇄ Related Functions

=ADDRESS() You can use the ADDRESS function to obtain the address of a cell in a worksheet, given specified row and column numbers. For example, ADDRESS(2,3) returns $C$2. As another example, ADDRESS(77,300) returns $KN$77. You can use other functions, such as the ROW and COLUMN functions, to provide the row and column number arguments for the ADDRESS function. =ISREF() Checks whether a value is a valid reference to a cell or range or not =SUM() How to use the SUM function in Excel to add individual values, cell references, ranges, or a mix of all three. =VLOOKUP() Learn how to use function VLOOKUP in Excel to find data in a table or range by row. Our step-by-step guide makes vlookup in excel easy and efficient. =INDEX() Returns the value of an element in a table or an array, selected by the row and column number indexes. Use the array form if the first argument to INDEX is an array constant. Returns the reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column. If the reference is made up of non-adjacent selections, you can pick the selection to look in.

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