How to convert text into range reference?
 

The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link, like this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.

How to convert text into range reference?
 

The other workbook needs to be open or else INDIRECT will not work

You can download morefunc (which is an Excel add-in) from here, it has a
function called INDIRECT.EXT which will work on closed workbooks

http://xcell05.free.fr/



--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom



"McGonnagal" wrote in message
...
The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a
bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link, like
this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.

How to convert text into range reference?
 

correction: I did use correct spelling for the link:
'C:\Folder\[11-20 sales.xls]data'!$A$1:$D$35

Formula using Indirect() works in the same file (different worksheet), but
not outside of the workbook... grh....

"McGonnagal" wrote:

The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link, like this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.

How to convert text into range reference?
 

Workbook was open :-(

"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

The other workbook needs to be open or else INDIRECT will not work

You can download morefunc (which is an Excel add-in) from here, it has a
function called INDIRECT.EXT which will work on closed workbooks

http://xcell05.free.fr/



--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom



"McGonnagal" wrote in message
...
The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a
bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link, like
this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.

How to convert text into range reference?
 

OK, I found it - Excel ate up the first '....

"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

The other workbook needs to be open or else INDIRECT will not work

You can download morefunc (which is an Excel add-in) from here, it has a
function called INDIRECT.EXT which will work on closed workbooks

http://xcell05.free.fr/



--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom



"McGonnagal" wrote in message
...
The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a
bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link, like
this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.

How to convert text into range reference?
 

Then there is no need for a path, try this formula

=VLOOKUP(A1,INDIRECT("'"&A2),2,0)


and change the value in A2 to


[11-20 sales.xls]data'!$A$1:$D$35


no leading apostrophe

your vlookup had the wrong syntax as well


--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom


"McGonnagal" wrote in message
...
Workbook was open :-(

"Peo Sjoblom" wrote:

The other workbook needs to be open or else INDIRECT will not work

You can download morefunc (which is an Excel add-in) from here, it has a
function called INDIRECT.EXT which will work on closed workbooks

http://xcell05.free.fr/



--
Regards,

Peo Sjoblom



"McGonnagal" wrote in message
...
The basic description of the problem is that I have data scattered in a
bunch
of date-named files, and I am trying to assemble them back into the
same
table using VLOOKUP function, where I have to change the workbook
source
names - and I am getting an error, indicating that my reference is a
text
string (which it is), not the proper reference.

Example:

What it should be:
A1= '11-20 (date)
B1= 'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35 (reference text as a
result
of a formula)

C1=vlookup(A1,indirect(B1),false,2) - ref error

When I tried to concantinate the reference in the vlookup formula
itself I
got value error from inability to convert text into reference link,
like
this:
vlookup(A1,"'C:\Folder\11-20 sales.xls'!data$A$1:$D$35",false,2)

Appreciate your help,

PS I am not good with VB.