Turns text into a reference. Build sheet names or addresses from cells and point at them. Volatile and easy to overuse.

Syntax

=INDIRECT(ref_text, [a1])

Example

=INDIRECT("'"&A1&"'!B2")

• Build an address

  =INDIRECT("B"&3) → 25

  The text "B3" becomes the reference B3.

• Sheet name from a cell

  =INDIRECT("'"&A1&"'!B2") → 12,400

  A1 holds a sheet name; the formula reads B2 on that sheet. The quotes handle spaces in names.

• R1C1 style

  =INDIRECT("R3C2",FALSE) → 25

  R1C1 style with the second argument FALSE.

• Volatile, and it breaks silently when sheets are renamed.
• Dependent dropdowns: Data Validation list source =INDIRECT(A1) where A1 names a named range.
• A reference built with INDIRECT never shifts when rows are inserted, which is either the point or the bug.
• Prefer INDEX or CHOOSE when the set of targets is fixed.

• #REF! for text that is not a valid reference or a closed external workbook.
• Volatile, so it slows large workbooks.
• Breaks silently when a sheet is renamed.