Dave,

First, thanks for responding. Second, apologies but did not explain
correctly. Am looking to do the following:

=([$A$1&A6&".xls"]Sheet1!c$3$)

such that A1 contains the path and A6.....Z6 contain the name. I can
then easily copy the various formulas to following cells as I create
additional workbooks. Also accommodates any changes to the location.

You hinted about Harlan Grove's solution which will avoid opening all
workbooks so will look at that but if you could provide further advice
then it would be most gratefuly accepted.

Regards,

Sandy Lumsden