=sumif() doesn't work with closed workbooks.

You could write it as =sum(if(...))
(and enter as an array formula)

But you can't use the whole column.

And I'm confused about what range you're checking with: $1:$65536

=sumproduct() can work with closed workbooks, too:

=sumproduct(--(thatlongstring...!$a$1:$a$9999="total expenses"),
(thatlongstring...!$b$1:$b$9999))

Adjust the ranges to match--but you can't use whole columns.

=sumproduct() likes to work with numbers. The -- stuff changes trues and falses
to 1's and 0's.

Bob Phillips explains =sumproduct() in much more detail he
http://www.xldynamic.com/source/xld.SUMPRODUCT.html

And J.E. McGimpsey has some notes at:
http://mcgimpsey.com/excel/formulae/doubleneg.html

Stuart wrote:

I have a formula that links using SUMIF to other workbooks.

When I close the target workbook the formula returns The Value Error

I have tried entering this as an array also and it doesn't work - any ideas?

=SUMIF('S:\Finance\CFM\Actuals\Month\2006\1 January
2006\[FAL_Variance_Det_by_AC_v_BUD 170206.XLS]Output 1
(0303)'!$1:$65536,"Total Expenses",'S:\Finance\CFM\Actuals\Month\2006\1
January 2006\[FAL_Variance_Det_by_AC_v_BUD 170206.XLS]Output 1 (0303)'!$B:$B)

--

Dave Peterson