The INDIRECT function returns a valid reference from a given text string. Use INDIRECT when you need to convert a reference assembled as text into a proper reference.
Purpose of Excel INDIRECT Function
Create a reference from text.
Return value
A valid worksheet reference.
Syntax
=INDIRECT (ref_text, [a1])
Arguments
| Arguments | Description | Remarks |
| ref_text | A reference supplied as text. | Mandatory |
| a1 | A boolean to indicate A1 or R1C1-style reference. Default is TRUE = A1 style. | Optional |
Usage note
- Use INDIRECT to create or supply a reference in text form. Indirect is useful when you want to convert a text value into a valid cell reference.
- The reference created by INDIRECT will not change even when cells, rows, or columns are inserted or deleted. For example, the formula =INDIRECT(“A1:A100”) will always refer to the first 100 rows of column A, even if rows in that range are deleted or inserted.
Availability
Since 2007 for Windows.
Since 2011 for Mac.