Using Index to build a range from a closed external workbook - excel

Question

Ideally we would like to avoid using VBA for this (if it's possible).
I have provided two sample spreadsheets to illustrate the issue as it's probably better with an example rather than giving confusing explanations.
Main sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xjb5of65ru204y4/Main.xlsx?dl=0
Suppliers sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hcjzwatk2m67a94/Suppliers.xlsx?dl=0
Basically, we need to pull a range of an unknown length starting from an unknown offset from a closed workbook, then use MATCH to find the row index of a value we're looking for and return the value.
We tried three different methods. All formulas works when the workbook is open but we need a solution to use without the workbook open.
I didn't look into using INDIRECT since MS strictly states that INDIRECT is not compatible with closed workbook.
Here are the formulas with indentation for better visual:
Method #1: Using index + count(if()) (array)
This solution returns #REF! when the external workbook is closed
INDEX(
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
COUNT(
IF('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A=$L$9,1)
)-1
)
,
MATCH(
K11,
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
COUNT(
IF('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A=$L$9,1)
)-1
)
,0)
,0)
Method #2: Using index + countif()
This solution returns #VALUE! when the external workbook is closed
INDEX(
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
COUNTIF('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,$L$9))-1
)
,
MATCH(
K11,
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
COUNTIF('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,$L$9))-1
)
,0)
,0)
Method #3: Using index + sumproduct()
This solution returns #REF! when the external workbook is closed
INDEX(
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$G:$G,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
SUMPRODUCT( -- ('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A=$L$9))-1
)
,
MATCH(
K11,
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
)
:
INDEX('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$D:$D,
MATCH($L$9,'Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A,0)
+
SUMPRODUCT( -- ('Z:\...\[Suppliers.xlsx]suppliers'!$A:$A=$L$9))-1
)
,0)
,0)
If I understand correctly, the tricky bit is building a dynamic range using INDEX(ref,row,col):INDEX(ref,row,col) since every bits works on their own but when used in this fashion it returns an error.
Note: You might need to update the absolute path to the spreadsheet suppliers.xlsx in main.xlsx if you download the provided demo
All help is gladly appreciated!