Variable within a formula

[Eric]

Hello,

I would like to set a formala in a cell that would vary based on the value
of an another cell.
The end result should look like: ='040208'!A1+C4 with 040208 being the value
of the cell in question.

How can I do that?

Thank you.

Eric

 

[Gary''s Student]

Put 040208 in A1 and then:
=INDIRECT(A1 & "!C4")
will give you the same as putting:
='040208'!C4
in the same cell

 

[Eric]

Gary, almost there... I was looking for ='040208'!A1+C4 and not just
'040208'!A1
I tried =INDIRECT(A1 & "!A1+C4") but it didn't work (A1 containing the
value '040208').

Thank you.

Eric

 

[NoodNutt]

G'day Eric

I tried this

=IF(A1="040208",(A1 & "!A1+C4"),0)

It returned

040208!A1+C4


I had to change A1 to a Text for it to work though, as I got a Ref# error
when it was General

HTH
Mark.

 

[Eric]

Hi Mark,

I am trying to end up with the formula =040208!A1+C4 not just with the
string 040208!A1+C4 hence the use of INDIRECT.

Thank you

Eric

 

[Dave Peterson]

Maybe:
=INDIRECT("'" & A1 & "'!A1+C4")
or
=INDIRECT("'" & text(A1,"000000") & "'!A1+C4")
or
=INDIRECT("'" & text(A1,"mmddyy") & "'!A1+C4")

The apostrophes are required for lots of worksheet names.

And depending on what's in A1 (a number formatted to show leading 0's) or a date
formatted nicely), you may need to do that in your formula, too.

 

[Eric]

Nope, thank you for trying. A1 was already formatted as text and it still
does not work.

All your solutions return the same #REF! as mine.

Thank you.

Eric

 

[Dave Peterson]

What formula did you use?

My real bet is that you don't have a worksheet by that name. Maybe there's
something wrong with the value in the cell--or maybe there's something different
with the worksheet tab.

I'd look for leading/trailing spaces in both spots to start.

 

[Eric]

Dave,

I tried all the solutions and everytime I changed the type of the cell A1
(to match the type expected) and I do have a sheet 040208.
I found something that worked. Instead of trying to incorporate the +C4
within the INDIRECT, I just took it outside...

=INDIRECT("'" & A1 & "'!A1)+C4 instead of =INDIRECT("'" & A1 & "'!A1+C4")

I wish I knew why the other one does not work because it does make sense...

Thank you.

Eric

 

[Dave Peterson]

I'm sorry.

I copied and pasted and didn't notice the mistake in the original formula. I
was too busy concentrating on the lack of apostrophes!

The stuff after the exclamation point has to look like an address.

And I can't think of anything that you could put into A1 that would make A1+C1
look like an address.

Dave,

I tried all the solutions and everytime I changed the type of the cell A1
(to match the type expected) and I do have a sheet 040208.
I found something that worked. Instead of trying to incorporate the +C4
within the INDIRECT, I just took it outside...

=INDIRECT("'" & A1 & "'!A1)+C4 instead of =INDIRECT("'" & A1 & "'!A1+C4")

I wish I knew why the other one does not work because it does make sense...

Thank you.

Eric