FormulaCraft

INDIRECT

INDIRECT converts a text string into a reference the spreadsheet evaluates. It lets you assemble a reference from other cells, like pointing at a sheet whose name is typed in a cell.

Excel
=INDIRECT("A" & B1)
Google Sheets
=INDIRECT("A" & B1)

Try it with your data

Edit the grid or formula, then run it through a real spreadsheet engine — no signup.

Sample data — click any cell to edit

Runs server-side · free · no signup

How it works

  1. 1"A" & B1 builds a reference like A5 if B1 contains 5.
  2. 2INDIRECT evaluates that text as an actual cell reference.
  3. 3Use it to reference a sheet by name, e.g. INDIRECT("'"&A1&"'!B2").

Need a version for your data?

Try: “Reference the cell in column A whose row number is in B1”

Related

VLOOKUPXLOOKUPINDEX / MATCH

Written and reviewed by FormulaCraft Team. Each formula on this page is run through our verification engine before publishing.

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