Excel INDIRECT function
Turns text into a reference, so a cell can decide which range is used. In Spanish Excel it is called INDIRECTO.
Syntax
English Excel
=INDIRECT(ref_text, [a1])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=INDIRECTO(ref, [a1])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=INDIRECTO(ref; [a1])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| ref_text | Text with the address, such as "B2" or "C2:C10"; it can be built with &. |
| a1optional | TRUE (or omitted) for addresses like B2; FALSE for the R2C3 style. |
Example
INDIRECT turns text into a reference: INDIRECT("B2:B6") is the range B2:B6. That lets a cell decide which range to add up. ADDRESS(row, column) does the opposite: it builds the text of an address, such as "$B$4".
=SUM(INDIRECT(I1&"2:"&I1&"6"))
Common mistake
It is volatile: it recalculates on every change and slows down large workbooks. Where you can, use INDEX or CHOOSE.
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Practice INDIRECT
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
INDIRECT and ADDRESS
INDIRECT turns text into a reference: INDIRECT("B2:B6") is the range B2:B6. That lets a cell decide which range to add up. ADDRESS(row, column) does the opposite: it builds the text of an address, such as "$B$4".
In I2, add up the column whose letter is in I1, rows 2 to 6, with INDIRECT. Changing I1 to "E" should add up Dani’s.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week | Ana | Beto | Carla | Dani | Column | C | |||
| 2 | 1 | 18,200.00 | 9,400.00 | 15,100.00 | 12,000.00 | Total for that column | ||||
| 3 | 2 | 21,500.00 | 11,800.00 | 9,900.00 | 14,300.00 | Cell with Ana’s best sale | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 16,700.00 | 13,200.00 | 17,400.00 | 10,800.00 | |||||
| 5 | 4 | 24,900.00 | 8,700.00 | 12,600.00 | 15,900.00 | |||||
| 6 | 5 | 19,300.00 | 14,100.00 | 16,800.00 | 11,200.00 | |||||
| 7 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is INDIRECT called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is INDIRECTO. The formula =SUM(INDIRECT(I1&"2:"&I1&"6")) is written =SUMA(INDIRECTO(I1&"2:"&I1&"6")) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does INDIRECT use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common INDIRECT mistake?
- It is volatile: it recalculates on every change and slows down large workbooks. Where you can, use INDEX or CHOOSE.