To convert a column letter to an regular number (e.g. 1, 10, 26, etc.) you can use a formula based on the INDIRECT and COLUMN functions. See example below: Formula =COLUMN(INDIRECT(letter&”1″)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: =COLUMN(INDIRECT(B5&”1″)) How this formula works The first step is to construct a standard “A1” style reference using the column…
Tag: INDIRECT function
How to create dynamic reference table name in Excel
To build a formula with a dynamic reference to an Excel Table name, you can use the INDIRECT function with concatenation as needed. Formula =SUM(INDIRECT(table&”[column]”)) Note: INDIRECT is a volatile function and can cause performance issues in larger, more complex workbooks. Explanation In the example shown, the formula in L5 is: =SUM(INDIRECT(K5&”[Amount]”)) Which returns the SUM of Amounts for three tables named “West”,…
Example of COUNTIFS with variable table column in Excel
To use COUNTIFS with a variable table column, you can use INDEX and MATCH to find and retrieve the column for COUNTIFS. See example below: Formula =COUNTIFS(INDEX(Table,0,MATCH(name,Table[#Headers],0)),criteria)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in H5 is: =COUNTIFS(INDEX(Table1,0,MATCH(G5,Table1[#Headers],0)),”x”) How this formula works First, for context, it’s important to note that you can use COUNTIFS with a regular structured reference like…
How to strip non-numeric characters in Excel
To remove non-numeric characters from a text string, you can try this experimental formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, new in Excel 2016. Formula {=TEXTJOIN(“”,TRUE,IFERROR(MID(A1,ROW (INDIRECT(“1:100″)),1)+0,””))} Note: TEXTJOIN will return the numbers as text, for example “100,”500″, etc. If you want a true numeric result, add zero, or wrap the entire formula in the VALUE function. TEXTJOIN was added in Excel 2016 + Office…
How to translate letters to numbers in Excel
To translate letters in a string to numbers, you can use an array formula based on the TEXTJOIN and VLOOKUP functions, with a defined translation table to provide the necessary lookups. Formula {=TEXTJOIN(“”,1,VLOOKUP(T(IF(1,MID(A1,ROW (INDIRECT(“1:”&LEN(A1))),1))),xtable,2,0))} Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: {=TEXTJOIN(“”,1,VLOOKUP(T(IF(1,MID(B5,ROW (INDIRECT(“1:”&LEN(B5))),1))),xtable,2,0))} where “xtable” is the named range E5:F10. Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with…
List worksheet index numbers in Excel
To list the index numbers of sheets in an Excel workbook, you can enter the sheet names, then use a formula based on the SHEET and INDIRECT functions. The SHEET function then returns the current index for each sheet as listed. Formula =SHEET(INDIRECT(name&”!A1″)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: =SHEET(INDIRECT(B5&”!A1″)) How this formula works The INDIRECT…
How to reference named range different sheet in Excel
This tutorials shows how to reference a named range on another sheet. To achieve this, you can use the INDIRECT function with the required sheet syntax. Formula INDIRECT(“‘”&sheet&”‘!”&name) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in D6 is: =SUM(INDIRECT(“‘”&B6&”‘!”&C6)) Which returns the sum of the named range “data” on Sheet1. How this formula works The formula above evaluates something like…
How to check worksheet name exists in Excel
To test if a worksheet name exists in a workbook, you can use a formula based on the ISREF and INDIRECT functions. Formula =ISREF(INDIRECT(“sheetname”&”!A1″)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: =ISREF(INDIRECT(B5&”!A1″)) How this formula works The ISREF function returns TRUE for a valid worksheet reference and FALSE is not. In this case, we want to find…
How to create dynamic worksheet reference in Excel
To create a formula with a dynamic sheet name you can use the INDIRECT function. Note: The point of this approach is it lets you to build a formula where the sheet name is a dynamic variable. So, for example, you could change a sheet name (perhaps with a drop down menu) and pull in information from different worksheet. Formula =INDIRECT(sheet_name&”!A1″)…
Create dynamic workbook reference to another workbook in Excel
To build a dynamic worksheet reference – a reference to another workbook that is created with a formula based on variables that may change – you can use a formula based on the INDIRECT function. See example below: Formula =INDIRECT(“‘[“&workbook&”]”&sheet&”‘!”&ref) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in E6 is: =INDIRECT(“‘[“&B6&”]”&C6&”‘!”&D6) How this formula works The gist of this formula…
Get work hours between dates custom schedule in Excel
To calculate work hours between two dates with a custom schedule, you can use a formula based on the WEEKDAY and SUMPRODUCT functions, with help from ROW, INDIRECT, and MID. Formula =SUMPRODUCT(MID(schedule,WEEKDAY (ROW(INDIRECT(start&”:”&end))),1)*ISNA (MATCH(ROW(INDIRECT(start&”:”&end)),holidays,0))) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in F8 is: =SUMPRODUCT(MID(D6,WEEKDAY(ROW (INDIRECT(B6&”:”&C6))),1)*ISNA(MATCH (ROW(INDIRECT(B6&”:”&C6)),holidays,0))) Which returns 36 hours, based on a custom schedule where 8 hours are…
How to abbreviate names or words in Excel
To abbreviate text that contains capital letters, you can try this array formula based on the TEXTJOIN function, which is new in Excel 2016. You can use this approach to create initials from names, or to create acronyms. Only capital letters will survive this formula, so the source text must include capitalized words. You can use the PROPER function to capitalize words…
How to convert text string to array in Excel
To convert a string to an array that contains one item for each letter, you can use an array formula based on the MID, ROW, LEN and INDIRECT functions. This can sometimes be useful inside other formulas that manipulate text at the character level. Formula {=MID(string,ROW(INDIRECT(“1:”&LEN(string))),1)} Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with control + shift…
Count day of week between dates in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Count day of week between dates in Excel using example below. To count the number of Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, etc. between two dates you can use an array formula that uses several functions: SUMPRODUCT, WEEKDAY, ROW, and INDIRECT. Formula =SUMPRODUCT(–(WEEKDAY(ROW(INDIRECT(date1&”:”&date2)))=dow)) Explanation In the example shown, the formula in cell E6 is =SUMPRODUCT(–(WEEKDAY(ROW(INDIRECT(B6&”:”&C6)))=D6)) How this formula…
Excel Data validation specific characters only
Set criteria to accept specific characters only To use data validation to allow a list of specific characters only, you can use a rather complicated array formula based on the COUNT, MATCH, and LEN functions. Formula =COUNT(MATCH(MID(A1,ROW(INDIRECT (“1:”&LEN(A1))),1),allowed&””,0))=LEN(A1) Explanation In the example shown, data validation is applied with this formula: =COUNT(MATCH(MID(B5,ROW(INDIRECT (“1:”&LEN(B5))),1),allowed&””,0))=LEN(B5) where “allowed” is the named range D5:D11. How this formula…
Lookup with variable sheet name in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Lookup with variable sheet name in Excel using the example below; Formula =VLOOKUP(val,INDIRECT(“‘”&sheet&”‘!”&”range”),col,0) Explanation To create a lookup with a variable sheet name, you can use the VLOOKUP function together with the INDIRECT function. In the example shown, the formula in C5 is: =VLOOKUP($B5,INDIRECT(“‘”&C$4&”‘!”&”B5:C11″),2,0) How this formula works The “month” tabs of the worksheet contain…
Get cell content at given row and column in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Get cell content at given row and column in Excel using the example below; Formula =INDIRECT(ADDRESS(row,col)) Explanation To get cell content with a given row and column number, you can use the ADDRESS function together with INDIRECT. In the example shown, the formula in G6 is: =INDIRECT(ADDRESS(G4,G5)) How this formula works The Excel ADDRESS function…
Dynamic lookup table with INDIRECT in Excel
This tutorial shows how to calculate Dynamic lookup table with INDIRECT in Excel using the example below; To allow a dynamic lookup table, you can use the INDIRECT function with named ranges inside of VLOOKUP. Formula =VLOOKUP(A1,INDIRECT(“text”),column) Explanation In the example shown the formula in G5 is: =VLOOKUP(F5,INDIRECT(E5),2,0) Background The purpose of this formula is to allow an easy way…
Average the last 3 numeric values in Excel
This tutorial shows how to work Average the last 3 numeric values in Excel using the example below; Formula {=AVERAGE(LOOKUP(LARGE(IF(ISNUMBER(data),ROW(data)),{1,2,3}),ROW(data), data))} Explanation To average the last 3 numeric values in a range, you can use an array formula based on a combination of functions to feed the last n numeric values into the AVERAGE function. In the example shown, the formula in D6…
Count occurrences in entire Excel Workbook
This tutorial shows how to Count occurrences in entire Excel Workbook using the example below; Formula =SUMPRODUCT(COUNTIF(INDIRECT(“‘”&sheets&”‘!”&range),criteria)) Explanation To count matches in entire workbook, you can use a formula based on the COUNTIF and SUMPRODUCT functions. In the example shown, the formula in D5 is: =SUMPRODUCT(COUNTIF(INDIRECT(“‘”&sheets&”‘!A1:Z10000″),B5)) where “sheets” is the named range B8:B10. Context This workbook has four worksheets. Three…
COUNTIF with non-contiguous range in Excel
This tutorial shows how to COUNTIF with non-contiguous range in Excel using the example below; Formula =SUM(COUNTIF(INDIRECT({“range1″,”range2″,”range3”}),criteria)) Explanation To use count a non-contiguous range with criteria, you can use the COUNTIF function together with INDIRECT and SUM. In the example shown, cell I5 contains this formula: =SUM(COUNTIF(INDIRECT({“B5:B8″,”D7:D10″,”F6:F11″}),”>50″)) How this formula works COUNTIF counts the number of cells in a range that…
3D SUMIF for multiple worksheets in Excel
This tutorial shows how to 3D SUMIF for multiple worksheets in Excel using the example below; Formula =SUMPRODUCT(SUMIF(INDIRECT (“‘”&sheets&”‘!”&”range”),criteria, INDIRECT(“‘”&sheets&”‘!”&”sumrange”))) Explanation To conditionally sum identical ranges that exist in separate worksheets, all in one formula, you can do so with the SUMIF function + INDIRECT, wrapped in SUMPRODUCT. In the example, the formula looks like this: =SUMPRODUCT(SUMIF(INDIRECT (“‘”&sheets&”‘!”&”D4:D5”),B9, INDIRECT(“‘”&sheets&”‘!”&”E4:E5”))) The…
Sum bottom n values in Excel
This tutorial shows how to Sum bottom n values in Excel. You can use a combination of SUMPRODUCT function and SMALL function to get the sum bottom n values in the example below; Formula =SUMPRODUCT(SMALL(range,{1,2,n})) Explanation If you need to sum or add the bottom values in a range, you can do so with a formula that uses the SMALL function wrapped inside the…
How to use Excel INDIRECT Function
This Excel tutorial explains how to use the INDIRECT function with syntax and examples. Excel INDIRECT function Description Microsoft Excel INDIRECT function returns the reference to a cell based on its string representation. The INDIRECT function is a built-in function in Excel that is categorized as a Lookup/Reference Function that can be entered as part of a formula in a cell of a worksheet. Explanation: Based…
Convert text string to valid reference in Excel using Indirect function
Applying Excel INDIRECT function to Cell Reference, Range Reference, Named Range, Worksheet Reference. Use the INDIRECT function in Excel to convert a text string into a valid reference. You can use the & operator to create text strings. Cell Reference Use the INDIRECT function in Excel to convert a text string into a valid cell reference. 1. For example, take a look at the INDIRECT function below.…