How to Use Indirect Function in Excel
The INDIRECT function in Excel returns a cell reference specified by a text string, allowing dynamic referencing in formulas. It evaluates the text reference and returns the value from the referenced cell, helping you change Excel cell references without editing the formula.
Parameters of Indirect function
The INDIRECT formula in Excel uses two main arguments: the reference text and the A1 or R1C1 style selector.
- Reference Text: This is a string representing a cell or range reference in A1 or R1C1 format. If the ref_text is an invalid cell reference, it returns an #REF! error.
- A1 (optional): A TRUE or FALSE value that tells Excel whether to interpret the text as A1-style (default) or R1C1-style referencing. When set to true, it reads the ref_text as an A1 style reference. If false, it interprets the ref_text as an R1C1 style reference.
Examples of Indirect function
Simple Indirect Function
Use the INDIRECT function to extract data from a specific column or cell, such as retrieving a value from cell A4 in Excel.
Sum and Indirect Function
Combine SUM and INDIRECT functions to calculate the total of a dynamic range in Excel, useful for data aggregation.
Average with Indirect Function
Use INDIRECT with the AVERAGE function to analyze business performance, especially in tracking average sales over time. Using Indirect helps find the average value, crucial for assessing overall company performance.
Additional Sum and Indirect Function Usage
Summing multiple numbers while utilizing the Indirect function, requiring careful placement of data in separate columns for effective formula execution.
Indirect Function with Text
Use the INDIRECT function alone to return a value from a referenced cell, without using other Excel functions like SUM.
Sum and Indirect Extended
Analyzing business sales over specific months by using Indirect to compute values between starting and ending months, offering insights into business performance within that timeframe.
Finding a Specific Value with Indirect & Row Function
Isolating data for a particular month, in this case, June, using Indirect to extract specific values from a dataset.
Indirectly Finding a Number in a Column
Locating a specific number within a column by employing the Indirect function, exemplifying how to find targeted data within a dataset.
Knowing Sales with SUM and INDIRECT Function
Using the Sum and Indirect functions to assess sales in various areas of a business, aiming to gauge overall performance, particularly for the Ultimate Provider, a business specializing in broadband and telephone services.
Finding Sales from another Spreadsheet
Exploring how the Indirect function can retrieve information from a different spreadsheet, showcasing its utility in gathering data from external sources.
It’s important to note that INDIRECT is a volatile function. This means that it recalculates every time any cell in the worksheet changes, which can slow down performance in large or complex spreadsheets. Use INDIRECT judiciously.
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