This may help:

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172225

Pete

On May 25, 8:52*am, pat67 wrote:
Hi, I have a file which use the sumif function pulling the data from
another file. The issue is that if the file where the sumif is pulling
from is closed and I say filter the other file, i get the #VALUE
error. I was told that the sumif function has to have the file open to
see the data. I though it was an issue with permissions or something.
Which is true? Thanks