I try to approach an external document, defined in cell A1 in cell B2

A1 := '[File1.xls]Sheet1!$A$1
A2 := =INDIRECT(A1)

This works perfectly if File1.xls is open, but gives #REF! is File1.xls
isn't open.

Is there a way I can link to a file defined in a cell, without that file
being opened

(in the real problem I link to a file with a specific element in the name
that changes frequently. I want to define the exact file to link to in the
"master" excel sheet).

Thanks,

Johannes