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INDIRECT
A medium reference formula for turning text into a live cell or range reference.
Syntax
=INDIRECT(...)Step-by-step explanation
- 1Understand the job that INDIRECT solves before you type the formula.
- 2Build or select the cells and ranges that INDIRECT needs before typing it.
- 3Check the output and refine the range or criteria if needed.
Common mistakes
Creating hard-to-debug volatile formulas
Building invalid text references
Using it when direct references would be simpler
Example table
A quick scenario to connect the syntax to the result.
| 12 | 18 |
| 8 | 68 |
Formula
=INDIRECT(A1:B2)
Result
68
Worked example
- 1Read the sample data first so you know what the formula needs to solve.
- 2Enter =INDIRECT(A1:B2) in the result cell and press Enter.
- 3Check that the output matches 68.
Practice area
Use INDIRECT when the sheet address is stored as text and must be evaluated as a reference.
Match against the syntax block above.