AboutBob Umlas Expertise I`m a Microsoft Excel MVP (Most Valuable Professional) and have been since the inception of the program in 1995. I can answer every kind of Excel question except: API, Importing/exporting to other programs (powerpoint, word,...)
Experience Worked with MS Excel since version 0.99 (on the Mac!). Was contributing editor to Excellence Magazine, having written >300 articles. John Walkenbach said of me "I finally met someone who knows as much about Excel as I do."
Publications Excellence, The Expert, Microsoft
Awards and Honors MVP
Led sessions for the Convergence 2004-2006 seminar on Excel tips & tricks
Question I am trying to create a workbook using the indirect function. For example,
=INDIRECT(A1&"!E12")
Cell A1 = "Sheet2"
This returns the contents of E12 on Sheet2.
This formula will only lock in to E12 on Sheet2 and when I insert column or row, the formula won't update and trace the original E12(become F12 when I added a column). Is there anyway I can refer the worksheet name in a formula from a cell and at the same time it knows how to update automatically? Thank you.
Answer If the formula you're entering is in column A:
=INDIRECT($A$1&"!r12c"&COLUMN()+4,FALSE) will do the job.
If it's in column E:
=INDIRECT($A$1&"!r12c"&COLUMN(),FALSE)
in column H:
=INDIRECT($A$1&"!r12c"&COLUMN()-3,FALSE)
when you fill right, you'll get the reference you want.
About Excel
This topic answers questions related to Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (or workbook) stand-alone or Mircrosoft Office Excel including Excel 2003, Excel 2007, Office 2000, and Office XP. You can get Excel help on Excel formulas(or functions), Excell macros, charting in Excel, advanced features, and the general use of Excel. This does not provide a general Excel tutorial nor the basics of using a spreadsheet. It provides specific answers to using Microsoft Excel only. If you do not see your Excel question answered in this area then please ask an Excel question here
