They both work for me provided the second file is open.
I used
=SUMIF([junk4.xls]Sheet1!A1:A4,"a",[junk4.xls]Sheet1!B1:B4)
and
{=SUM(IF([junk4.xls]Sheet1!A1:A4="a",[junk4.xls]Sheet1!B1:B4))}

best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme
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"Scott" wrote in message
...
Can anyone tell me why I get an error (#VALUE) with
=SUMIF('C:\[doc.xls]sheet'!$M$4:$M$1000,"page",'C:\[doc.xls]sheet'!$G$4:$G$1000)

and when I use this I get correct answer :
{=SUM(IF('C:\[doc.xls]sheet'!$M$4:$M$1000="page",'C:\[doc.xls]sheet'!$G$4:$G$1000))}

Is SUMIF not able to work on multiple workbooks?