How to copy a cell value from another excel workbook? - excel

Let's say I want to copy Cell C5 from workbook 2 to workbook 1. The name of workbook 2 is a variable given in Cell D1 of workbook 1.
The problem with using Excel's built-in Indirect() function is that the value disappears when workbook 2 is closed. I'm hoping there's a simple VBA macro that can do this.
Thanks in advance.

You seem not to have a lot of experience in Excel VBA, let me give you the general approach for such an exercise:
You can record macros: go to the "Developers" tab, start recording, do the thing you want to do (the copying) and stop the recording. There should be a macro, describing what you have done.
Unfortunately, when doing this, the macro will be something like this:
Source_Range.Copy
Destination_Range.Paste
Generally it is advised to replace this by something like this:
Destination_Range.Value = Source_Range.Value
Good luck and if you have any more problems while doing this, you might ask again by editing your question (I'll be following this question).

The behaviour you're observing isn't a limitation of the INDIRECT() function, but a more general limitation of Excel functions only having access to other workbooks when they're open.
You can use another workbook as a data source by selecting Data > Get Data > From File > From Workbook from the ribbon. Select the source sheet from the Navigator pane, and select Load. This will open the PowerQuery editor.
PowerQuery is an advanced topic which I won't attempt to fully address here, but the default transformation should give you a table containing data from the source worksheet, without relying on that workbook being open in another instance of Excel.

Related

How to redirect different workbook specific sheet in excel?

I've got trouble with this, I need to redirect to different workbook specific sheet. Normally, can excel redirect specific sheet on same workbook only? Is there any other option to solve it?
I look forward to solve it.
To create a formula that references a different workbook, open both workbooks then create the formula in the same fashion as referencing a different worksheet in the same workbook:
Start entering formula
Switch to the other excel window (using Alt-Tab; or windows taskbar; or View tab > Switch Windows)
Select the cells to be referenced
Switch back to original window
You should get a formula that references the other workbook like:
=[Book2.xlsx]Sheet1!$A$1

Missing DataValidation DataSource

I am working on an excel spreadsheet. I have a dropdown with values. I need to add a value in there.
There is no macro and there is no connection. The only thing I found was:
I selected the cell at hand
Data -> DataValidation
In the source i can see this string =Variables!$D$1:$D$23
I do not have a sheet called variables or anything close to the word variables in any of the sheets. Where can this be coming from?
There is also protection on the workbook but not the individual sheets. Could this be the issue?
Thank you
You can usually check the contents of a hidden sheet quite easy using the Immediate Window.
So open the VBA editor (Alt-F11), go to the Immediate window (Ctrl-G), and try:
?Variables.[D17]
If this works, you can repeat this to see the other 22 validation values (or write a small sub, using Debug.Print ubstead of ?).

Why can't Excel update some of the links in my workbook

I have a Master workbook in MS Excel that references data in 4 other workbooks.
When it opens I get the following message:
We can't update some of the links in your workbook right now.
You can continue without updating their values, or edit the links you think are wrong.
[Continue] [Edit Links...]
Each referenced workbook contains a N row, 365 column rectangular range that I have named 'DataRange'
My master workbook contains 4 lots of N row, 365 column ranges with Array Formula linked to these named ranges:
{='C:\Path\[Workbook1Name.xlsx]Sheet'![DataRange]}
It feels like i've come across an Excel bug.. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong?
Are you using MS Excel 2013, when you receive this error?
If so, it maybe due to the "3D reference in your named DataRange" in Excel 2013 or because you're referencing a range or cell in a closed workbook.
Excel allows the defining of names that refer to specific cells or ranges of cells in that workbook, similarly (using the Define Name tool in the Formulas tab) you can assign a formula to a name and then use that name in place of the formula.
The named formula or named data range is part of a collection in that workbook's (workbook1) objects and can be used in different workbook (workbook2), but the link to the defined name in the other workbook must be done one of two ways.
Link the defined name with a formula like this
='C:\Folder\Path\Workbook1.xls'!NamedFormula or NamedDataRange
Or Create a defined name in workbook2 (it can have the same defined name as workbook1's or a new name) and then refer workbook2's defined name to workbook1's defined name. Select Define Name on the Formula tab and copy a link like this in the Refers To Field:
='C:\Folder\Path\Workbook1.xls'!NamedFormula or NamedDataRange
Note these links will only work when being used in simple formulas which treat the link as a direct links. It will not work with more complex formulas when the original workbook (workbook1) is closed because the link is often treated as an indirect link in complicated formulas.
To work around this issue, use either of the following methods:
Save workbook1 and workbook2 as .xlsb files.
Do not add an external reference link to a defined name that refers to a 3D reference or named range.
Or open both workbooks
For more detail information, please refer to the following link:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2755120
If you're still receiving an error/ warning message after trying all my above suggestion. You might want to some troubleshooting.
Try this:
- Open Excel. Under Tools->Options->Calculation, select the Update remote
references box.
Open your workbook. Make sure the box the remote reference box is checked. Save your workbook this way after updating the link. Close workbook and Excel.Restart Excel and open your workbook.
- Look under defined names and delete all that you don't need or that have broken formulae. Run a FindLink search, to pin point the problem.
This process worked for one of workmates with this exact problem.
I hope this helps, if not let me know. There might be a 4th solution.
I finally solved this issue after going on a scavenger hunt. In my case, the reference was to an old file that no longer exists, and removing the reference was all that was needed. Unfortunately Excel does not pinpoint where the reference is, so it was a pain to look for the cell that was making the reference.
In my workbook, it was a reference as a part of a Data Validation. For others seeing the same error, I recommend using the Find & Select -> Go To Special feature (Home ribbon tab) then searching by Formula errors and and Data validation.
Open Excel
Go to "Inquire" tab page in the ribbon
Select "Workbook Analysis"
Check Items\Cells\With Validation Criteria items. In the "Validation Text" you might spot references to the extenal source.
The "Cell Address" column would give you the list of problematic cells.
Look around any other supsicious findings of the Workbook Analysis tool
Have you considered giving the data ranges different names? DataRange1, DataRange2 etc, or is this not possible due to other constraints. When excel says "some" of the links, how far has it got?
I got it working by ditching the FormulaArray and set the FormulaR1C1 for the entire range. Unfortunately the formula was a bit more complicated.
=INDEX(
'C:\Path\Workbook1Name.xlsx'!DataRange,
ROW() - ROW(Workbook1DataRange) + ROW('C:\Path\Workbook1Name.xlsx'!DataRange) - 5,
COLUMN() - COLUMN('C:\Path\Workbook1Name.xlsx'!DataRange) + 1)

In excel, which function is similar to INDIRECT?

I have a large number of excel files that I need to use for getting data.
I am looking for a function similar to INDIRECT, in order not to be necessary to have the files open to get the values. Can you help?
Thank you
Consider using ADO..............here is a reference:
Microsoft ADO Reference
In your VBA, you need to first open the workbook:
Workbooks.Open()
Then you can use Workbooks("xxx").Worksheets("").Cells() or Range() [depending on what you want to do].
When you are done taking out the info/data, then you close that worksheet.
You don't really need =INDIRECT() or ADO or even VBA. Just reference the closed worksheet like this in a cell: ='S:\Temp\[T.xls]Sheet1'!$C$4
It will update the values upon opening the workbook; you don't need to have the source workbook open at all. Or you can update them manually by choosing Edit Links from the Data tab in Excel.

How to crack an Excel workbook that looks up values?

Alright I know this isn't 100% related to programming (the Excel book in question doesn't use VBA at all) but I'm hoping someone can help me out with this or point me in the right direction.
My boss got a spreadsheet from a vendor that has a combobox/dropdown list with various part numbers; when you select one it populates the rest of the form with a lookup containing additional items. I've been tasked with "cracking" this and finding the list that they're using to populate so we can make use of it.
The thing is... there's no VBA code, no macros, no data connections, and only one Worksheet displayed in Excel while the lookup code references a Sheet1. I've tried to display hidden worksheets and it says there are none... so where on earth could this list be kept? My boss is getting impatient and is asking me if I've broken it yet. It's not a big deal if it can't be done, I just have no clue where to continue looking for it and I don't know what to tell my boss when he asks me if I'm done.
Can anyone help?
It's possible to hide a worksheet using VBA so that it can't be unhidden from the UI.
Try the method for un-hiding all hidden workhseets outlined here:
http://www.automateexcel.com/2004/12/14/excel_vba_unhide_all_worksheets/
My guess is that it is a Data Validation list which references a constant list of values or a range on a "Very Hidden" sheet. In Excel 2007, select one of the cells with the drop-down, click on the "Data" tab in the Ribbon, click on "Data Validation" in the Ribbon and see what you have. In Excel 2003 it is the Data -> Validation... command.
Another possibility if you know the name of the worksheet is "Sheet1" is to add a new worksheet, enter "=Sheet1!A1" into cell A1 of the new worksheet, and copy this cell down and to the right for as large of an area as you need to see the data you are interested in.
If you can post a URL to download the workbook (assuming it is not a trade secret) you would be more likely to get an accurate answer.
Could it be some data stored on the same sheet.
Possibly in columns which are either hidden, or which are far off the actual page?
Isn't this just data from the worksheet only?
Column header dropdown lists acts as filters, they show distinct values of a column.
This is a feature of Excel.
The items could be cached from a currently unavailable resource. Try saving it out to xml and searching for a known string.
Click on the cell that display a drop down list when selected
From the menubar select data>validation
In the dialog box copy the content of the source text box
Now paste the content on any empty cell on your worksheet
Select a drag it down to see the values populating the list
Chris
------
Convert your Excel spreadsheet into an online calculator.
http://www.spreadsheetconverter.com
I am assuming that you have broken this by now, but just in case you havent. This is certainly a case of data validation using a named range which is house on another sheet that was designated "very Hidden" from the vba console. You will need to open up the VBA project of this worksheet and designated the "very Hidden" sheet to just Hidden and then you will be able to unhide it, or the other setting at which point it will be viewable.

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