REF Error when using INDIRECT function to create dynamic row reference - excel

I have a matrix grid in "MasterSheetGrid". I have separate sheets that divide this info into certain dimensions, making it easier to handle for the user.
In order to make the file dynamic, i am trying to use INDIRECT Function within a function, to locate which row of the MasterSheetGrid to look for the information before returning.
The formula works when i specify the row manually, but using INDIRECT i receive a REF error, even though nothing is deleted.
Manual Formula =INDEX(MasterSheetGrid!$5:$5,MATCH((XLOOKUP($J6,$5:$5,6:6)),MasterSheetGrid!6:6,0))
Formula to locate the row
=(MATCH($C6,MasterSheetGrid!$C:$C,0))
Attempt to merge both using INDIRECT by referencing the cell where the above formula is stored, which results in REF
INDEX(MasterSheetGrid!$5:$5,MATCH((XLOOKUP($J6,$5:$5,6:6)),(INDIRECT(J2:J2,0))))
Ideally i would like to not have to use a cell to store the lookup row formula in, but i thought if i could create a correct formula with the cell reference, i could repeat for the formula.
Does anyone know what i am doing wrong?
This is the view of the user. The formula would sit within column K
This is the MasterSheetGrid view

Instead of using INDIRECT which would cause recalculation at any change in the file, I recommend using INDEX instead. You refer to a fixed sheet name, therefore no need to use INDIRECT.
=INDEX(MasterSheetGrid!$5:$5,MATCH((XLOOKUP($J6,$5:$5,6:6)),INDEX(MasterSheetGrid!$1:$50,J2,),0))
Would be the equivalent of what you tried.
Proper use of INDIRECT would be:
=INDEX(MasterSheetGrid!$5:$5,MATCH((XLOOKUP($J6,$5:$5,6:6)),INDIRECT("MasterSheetGrid!"&J2&":"&J2),0))
And it's good practice to take the following into account (thanks David Leal):
If the Sheet name you're referring to contains one or more spaces you need to wrap the name in ' like 'Sheet name'!

To refer a range using INDIRECT you can use the following syntax (as a string delimited, for example delimited by "):
=INDIRECT("J2:J10")
for a cell, this works:
=INDIRECT(J2)
but if you try the same for a range:
=INDIRECT(J2:J10) -> #REF!
you get #REF!
If you are going to refer a Sheet from your Worksheet, then you need in all cases to enter the input argument as string:
=INDIRECT("Sheet1!A1:A10")
=INDIRECT("Sheet1!A1")
=INDIRECT("'Sheet 1'!A2") -> When Sheet Name has spaces use (') delimiter
Notes: By the way you are invoking INDIRECT using the second input argument (a1) which is optional with the value 0. It is not required for getting a referring a range as I showed before.
I suspect this is the issue you are having

Related

Finding a range and then implementing it in another formula

I am trying to use a variable range based on a pre-defined criteria. In my case I would like to find the range of the “AUD” cells in the table. I managed to get the beginning of the range thanks to:
=ADDRESS(1;MATCH("AUD";1:1;0))
And then I found the end of the range using a slightly modified above formula:
=ADDRESS(1;(MATCH("AUD";1:1;0)+(COUNTIF(1:1;"AUD"))-1))
Then I simply combined the results with the following formula:
=(B4&":"&C4)
And the achieved result was:
$B$1:$D$1
However, I am having difficulties implementing this result inside formulas in which range must be defined, which brings me to my following questions:
Is such kind of implementation possible in EXCEL, I suspect that the result is considered as a simple text and not actually a cell reference? Is there a way I can change that?
One step further, if we trim (for example from $B$1 to just $B) can we still make the formula working?
Due to the fact that to save space I will probably write all the above formulas inside one formula and I expect this formula to become huge, would it be possible to create a VBA public function which can store the range in a variable and then just refer this variable to the formula - for example, SUMIF("=audRefCell()";"AUD";2:2).
I would like to thank you in advance for the help!

How to reference cell within '' worksheet title

I have the names of the tabs/worksheets (M-61,M-62,M-63W) at the top row (A1, B1, C1...etc)
I am trying to get a sum of several cells within the different sheets:
=SUM('M-60'!H21,'M-60'!H43,'M-60'!H86,'M-60'!H87,'M-60'!H97,'M-60'!H98)
However, right now I’m referring to the sheet itself, and have to apply the same formula to all the other sheets. This will require me to manually go and change all the sheet titles accordingly.
I was wondering if there is any way to reference the top row with the sheet titles within the formula so it automatically refers to the row text instead of me having to manually change the sheet title.
Edit
Now i got the reference to work, just wondering how would I do a sum of several cells in that tab
=INDIRECT("'"&$F1&"'!H87",TRUE)
Maybe:
=SUM(INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H21"),INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H43"),INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H86:H87"),INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H97:H98"))
(though there may well be a much smarter way).
You can use the INDIRECT function, which uses a string as an argument and converts it to a range. So
=M-60'!H21
is the same as
=INDIRECT("M-60'!H21")
or, if Sheet name is stored in, say, cell C1:
=INDIRECT(C1&"'!H21")
Your example has a SUM, though, which requires some adaptations. This your example:
=SUM('M-60'!H21,'M-60'!H43,'M-60'!H86,'M-60'!H87,'M-60'!H97,'M-60'!H98)
Since you are not using a range, you can convert that SUM into simple addition. Assuming Sheet name in cell C1
=INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H21")+INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H43")+INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H86")+INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H87")+INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H97")+INDIRECT("'"&C1&"'!H98")
This should solve your problem. More info here
By the way, if you were using a range, the OFFSET function with INDIRECT as an argument would work. But that's not necessary here.

How do I use the result of one function in another function to get the value stored in a cell in another sheet in Excel?

In my current sheet I have some numbers in a column, which represent the row which I want to get the data from in another sheet. And I want to get it from the same column in which I am using the function...
I know using =Sheet1!A1 for instance gets me what is in A1 on Sheet1
and
=CONCATENATE("A",A1) being on sheet two, brings me back A + whatever value is stored in A1 on sheet number two... for simplicity let's say it's a one... so it would return A1
I am on Sheet2
I'm trying
=Sheet1!CONCATENATE("A", A1)
but the formula contains an error, I've tried rewriting this in many ways but it never works... any idea what the correct syntax I need is?
Greatly appreciated!
THanks
As Magicianeer said, you have to use the INDIRECT function. For your example:
=INDIRECT(CONCATENATE("Sheet1!","A",A1))
Should give the results you need.
However, it's a bit lengthy, and you can use & instead of CONCATENATE, and you can directly use Sheet1!A:
=INDIRECT("Sheet1!A"&A1)
What is evaluated in the brackets is Sheet1!A1, and INDIRECT converts this from text to a reference.
Try:
=CONCATENATE("A", Sheet1!A1)

Excel Custom Data Validation

I have to restrict some invalid data in a Excel Column.
Below is Validation Criteria:
Should be a numeric Number
Size/Length should be equals to 9
Ex : valid:602005514, invalid:were,43456 etc.
I have created a Custom Data Validation using below function.
=AND(LEN(INDIRECT(SUBSTITUTE(ADDRESS(ROW(),COLUMN()),"$","")))=9,
ISNUMBER(INDIRECT(SUBSTITUTE(ADDRESS(ROW(),COLUMN()),"$",""))))
//here i have to get cell name dynamically. so, i have used ADDRESS function
But its not working as expected. It is not allowing any value in cell.
I guess it might be because of LEN function circular reference.
I have tried many ways, but not able to solve it. Please help me to solve this.
You don't need to resort to INDIRECT etc, in you formula just refer to top left cell in the range you are applying the validation.to. Excel will adjust for the othger cells in the range. When entering cell references don't use absolute references, ie no $'s
Eg select a range starting at cell A1, and set data validation formula to
=AND(ISNUMBER(A1),LEN(A1)=9)
Check this simple validation .. checking Cell D13 ..
=IF(LEN(D13)=9,IF(ISNUMBER(D13),"yes","no"),"no")
Another way:
=AND(ISNUMBER(A1),A1>99999999)
Make sure there are no leading or trailing spaces in the cell:
=IF(TRIM(A3)=A3,TRUE,FALSE)

Use cell text to build Excel formula

I'm trying to utilize a row and a column header to build a function that I can fill across an excel table (range of cells, not excel table object). So, for example I have a row header "BAT61" and column headers "A","B","C"...
I'd like to create a formula that generates the following results in those columns: =min(BAT61A),=min(BAT61B), =min(BAT61C)... Where those generated names match named ranges that have already been created.
I've attempted to use =index without success (I generally get a #ref error). I'd prefer a non-vba solution, if at all possible. Any help is appreciated.
UPDATE:
I've tried the indirect function but gotten the same #ref error. I've verified that the named range exactly matches the text string I'm trying to pass. I've tried the following variations with the same result #ref: =min(indirect(A1))[where A1 is the cell with "BAT61A"], =min(indirect(BAT61A))[to try and get the result directly], and =min(indirect(A1&A2))[where A1="BAT61" and A2="A"]. But, when I create a "Test" range, like suggested-it works. Any further ideas would be appreciated.
UPDATE2: I was able to get it working with several slight modifications. My named ranges that did't work were actually referring to fairly extensive array formulas that were parsing select rows from a table. When I created new dummy columns in the table that basically did the filtering, the indirect would pull the correct columns based upon the indirect.
Name some cells "Test" then you can use:
=MIN(INDIRECT("Test"))
http://www.cpearson.com/excel/indirect.htm
The name can be constructed using the & operator = $A1&B$2
For reference of others, use the function "Address" and "Indirect" in combination to achieve the above behavior.
Here is a sample for using values in cells to create formulas
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(E6,K2))
Assuming cell
E6 holds 3 and
K2 holds 4
The above formula will return
=INDIRECT($C$4)
Assuming cell
C4 holds This is a test
The above formula will return
This is a test

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