Excel #VALUE! error when using GetValue - excel

Question

I am attempting to use the code
Private Function GetValue(path, file, sheet, ref)
' Retrieves a value from a closed workbook
Dim arg As String
' Make sure the file exists
If Right(path, 1) <> "\" Then path = path & "\"
If Dir(path & file) = "" Then
GetValue = "File Not Found"
Exit Function
End If
' Create the argument
arg = "'" & path & "[" & file & "]" & sheet & "'!" & _
Range(ref).Range("A1").Address(, , xlR1C1)
' Execute an XLM macro
GetValue = ExecuteExcel4Macro(arg)
End Function
But receive #VALUE! when used as shown below:
Target ='C:\Temp[pulltest.xlsx]Sheet1'!$A$1
Parameters C:\Temp\
pulltest.xlsx
Sheet1
A1
Function =getvalue(B3,B4,B5,B6)
I'm using Excel2010 in Windows 7.
Grateful for any help

Answer 1

Your problem is that the GetValue function cannot be called from a worksheet cell.
So the following works:
Option Explicit
Sub GetVal()
Dim path As String, file As String, sheet As String, ref As String
path = [a7]
file = [a8]
sheet = [a9]
ref = [a10]
[a11] = GetValue(path, file, sheet, ref)
End Sub
Private Function GetValue(path, file, sheet, ref)
'Retrieves a value from a closed workbook
Dim Arg
'Make sure the file exists
If Right(path, 1) <> "\" Then path = path & "\"
If Dir(path & file) = "" Then
GetValue = "File not Found"
Exit Function
End If
'Create the argument
Arg = "'" & path & "[" & file & "]" & CStr(sheet) & "'!" & Range(ref).Range("A1").Address(, , xlR1C1)
GetValue = ExecuteExcel4Macro(Arg)
End Function
If the link is still active, you may refer to
Excel Tips from John Walkenbach: A VBA Function To Get A Value From A Closed File which includes the caveat "Note: You cannot use this function in a worksheet formula."