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Excel

INDIRECT function in Excel

Returns a reference indicated by a text value

=INDIRECT(ref_text, [a1])

INDIRECT syntax and parameters

Two arguments, one required.

  • ref_textstringRequired
  • a1anyOptional

INDIRECT examples

Formulas you'll actually reuse.

  1. Total column B on whichever sheet is named in A2 (the quotes handle spaces in sheet names):

    =SUM(INDIRECT("'" & A2 & "'!B2:B13"))

    Result148200

  2. The cell beside the “Total” label, wherever that row ends up:

    =INDIRECT("B" & MATCH("Total", A:A, 0))

    Result148200

INDIRECT in Google Sheets

Same name — your formula ports as-is.

Try INDIRECT in the playground

Edit the example — nothing to install.

Preloaded with the INDIRECT formula from Example 1 — change anything and watch it respond.

Loading the editor…

INDIRECT errors

What they mean — and the fixes.

  • #REF!

    The text doesn't resolve to a real reference — a misspelled or deleted sheet name, or a missing ! between the sheet and the range.

Related functions

More ways Excel gets this done.