5 Excel INDIRECT Function Examples - Learn the Great INDIRECT Function

Learn the INDIRECT function of Excel with these 5 INDIRECT function examples.
See how to use INDIRECT with named ranges, to reference other worksheets, create R1C1 references and see it used with other functions.
Download the file to follow along here - www.computergaga.com/_excel/f...
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More than 500 formula examples.
The INDIRECT function is one of the most misunderstood of the functions of Excel. It can be really powerful when used correctly. These 5 examples will show you different reasons as to why INDIRECT is thought of so highly.
Below are the timings for the different tutorials in this video.
00:00 - Introduction
00:38 - INDIRECT with Named Ranges
03:26 - INDIRECT to reference other worksheets
07:52 - Using R1C1 referencing with INDIRECT to return the last value in a row
12:15 - INDIRECT with VLOOKUP
14:40 - Dependent Drop Down Lists
Got any questions. Please post them in the comments area.
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[@tommyishie]

This is the best explanation of the INDIRECT function I have seen. Thank you!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much. Your comment is much appreciated.

[@Narone85]

Been searching for some time to find a solution to shorten my otherwise would-be long formula and this (last part) was just what I needed!
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience, it's much appreciated!

[@mdesasf]

Thank you for stepping through the Indirect formula. I've seen it a dozen times on as many sites, but I have not seen one explanation of each component of the formula. Much appreciated! Thank you!

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome 👍

[@cipher2]

An analyst at work used this a few years back for a spreadsheet I use daily, I always wondered over it, now finally taking the time to understand it. Thank you for this vid!!!

[@Computergaga]

My pleasure Cipher-Tu Productions.

[@bijuphilipjacob2961]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much.
You have no idea how useful this is to me in my daily work.
Thank you ever so much.
Kindly continue to contribute such excellent tutorials with excellent examples.
God Bless You.

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Biju, your welcome.

[@jamesperry3837]

Thanks for the feedback. I did try to use "R10C4" and it works but only for that column and not for the next/expanding columns.
So ur right it does make sense to use COUNTA. Thanks again.

[@peternganga9371]

Thank you, Computergaga. Very much appreciated. This Excel world is just becoming very exciting; courtesy persons like you.

[@Computergaga]

Welcome. There is no getting off the Excel world. It rotates too fast. You are here to stay 😂

[@keishrich]

Thank you for an effective lesson on the INDIRECT function!

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome K, thank you.

[@jasonjackson4555]

This is great! I had to populate data from several other tabs in a different file. You just made me look like a genius at work!

[@Computergaga]

That is great Jason. You are a genius :)

[@scottmckibben6286]

I don't often leave comments but this was so well done that I felt compelled. Kudos for clear concise explanations but my favorite part was the multiple examples that demonstrate real world challenges and the slightly different approaches you might need to take to solve them. Take a bow sir!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much for those lovely comments Scott.

[@donlanky6388]

Wow. I have struggled with this function in different forms and here you are making me an expert after watching this 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@Computergaga]

Excellent! Nice one Mike.

[@sasavienne]

There must be a good reason why I easily understand what you explain than many other people who offer different tutorials. The reason is simply, you can explain things so well. THANKS INDEED.

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome. Thank you for your kind words Salim.

[@petercompton538]

Great video. I've seen many explanations for INDIRECT() and this is by far the best, especially the one referring to other sheets with spaces in the sheet name. Thanks very much

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome Peter. Thank you.

[@jackychawla5422]

computergaga always comes with inspirational videos

[@kendrewt]

Good examples and good explanations for indirect functions! You put in learners' shoes and lead us to see how indirect function helps us. Thank you!

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome. Thank you.

[@iBenji1]

Amazing, I learned indirect with this short video. thank you !

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome Ben.

[@tomaszstarzZz]

OMG, this is AMAZING! and so useful. Also well explained and demonstrated - subed

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Tomasz.

[@grtpple007]

I had seen many videos on Indirect function and this actually is the best.Thank you

[@Computergaga]

Excellent! Great to hear Arun. Thank you.

[@pennywang778]

Thank you ! I've been sufferred from learning “INDIRECT" as it's not as clear logic as other fuctions. Watched around 3-4 videos still couldn't get until I watched your video. Now it's crystal clear and now I'm confident to use "INDIRECT" in work.

[@Computergaga]

Great to hear! Thank you Penny.

[@m.raedallulu4166]

An interesting demonstration, and very useful information. Thank you!

[@Computergaga]

You are very welcome.

[@kirkchristensen8135]

Well done - clearest examples yet I have seen on the 'INDIRECT' function. Many Thanks !!!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much, Kirk.

[@lenac3587]

Great examples Alan! This is the best demonstration of indirect function, so easy to understand, clear and how it can be used in so many ways which I hadn't known before. Now I know why indirect() is useful which I failed to gather from other channels. To add to the complexity of the last example, it would be great to show how to handle an office that consists of two words like Milton Keynes. :)

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Lena. I have a video on solving this situation. You can find it here - th-cam.com/video/aidOWOsMdD8/w-d-xo.html

[@mohideenthassim7180]

Loved it Alan, thank you for the great explanation of the indirect function. Cheers Mohideen

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Mohideen

[@AlokSinghimpact]

Excellent explaination to make use of indirect function.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Alok.

[@1gopalakrishnarao]

Thank you very much. Very interesting, practical, inspiring, revealing and thought provoking. You are doing a great job for the excel lovers/addicts/users. Please continue your good job for the benefit of Excel users with some more tricks/tips/time saving tools. Yours affectionate.

[@Computergaga]

You can guarantee more tricks/tips and time saving tools Gopala my friend.

[@Exceltrainingvideos]

Excellent!

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Dinesh.

[@MMA94]

the best explanation of indirect fnc . love it. going to watch so many more now

[@Computergaga]

Awesome, thank you Mohamed.

[@Yankee-Jr]

Insightful lecture on the Indirect function! Awesome

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Viktor.

[@bamakaze]

Maybe the best explanation of indirect on TH-cam. Thank you!

[@Computergaga]

That's awesome! Thank you very much, Cary.

[@sivamagesh]

Thank you. Clear explanation. Amazed by different techniques!!!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Siva.

[@sivamagesh]

@@Computergaga you are welcome

[@nishantgupta9211]

Thanks for making and sharing this excellent video. I appreciate your intelligent work.

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome Nishant.

[@sachinrv1]

Sir, This is one of the most INFORMATIVE video on INDIRECT function. This is so useful making life of finance person like me a dam easy.. just amazing.. thanks for sharing...

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome Sachin, thank you.

[@axetaxe1]

This tutorial is extremely helpful. Thank you very much.

[@Computergaga]

Great to hear. Thank you.

[@noeldoyle2477]

Good piece of work that’s well explained.
Thanks

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Noel.

[@sergiolizarraga9997]

Absolutely brilliant! Cheers!

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome Sergio.

[@jamesperry3837]

So today i got to look at INDIRECT + R1C1 + COUNTA. That was really good. Never seen all that being used at one go.
Very interesting if u need to fetch the LAST VALUE for anything. Thank u very much for sharing.

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome James

[@AbuTalha-eo7pr]

Hello Mr. Alan;
Superb video, thank you, I liked your explanation and your lesson of INDIRECT function: you helped me to retain this function and especially liaisin with another sheet with a name composed as "South Africa"
thanks again

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome Abu. I am glad I was able to help.

[@juanitaburt5281]

Now I know how to use the various indirect functions. You explained it so well, thank you.

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome, Juanita. Thank you.

[@anewlife4joe]

This is very informative and helpful!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you.

[@jamesperry3837]

And finally the magic of INDIRECT + NAMED RANGES/Dependent Lists.
I liked 4/5 of the INDIRECT function examples.
Thank u for sharing.

[@NjaanAdima]

Great! useful in many occasions. Thank you

[@Computergaga]

My pleasure Samuel.

[@sizzlersizzle8921]

Awesome.
Thanks u very much for such a detail and simple explanation.
Great Work..

[@Computergaga]

Thank you. My pleasure.

[@ajayv304]

Thanks a lot. The examples which were showcased are quite realistic.

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome. Thank you for your comment.

[@Excelrush]

Extremely well explained!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Excel Rush.

[@missongpeiqi]

Spent 3 hours trying to figure out the error with the spaces that causes #REF and this is the only explanation that helped. Thank you so much!

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome.

[@ThePauloFor]

Thank you so much for the insight in INDIRECT! I will definitively use it mor often :)

[@Computergaga]

You're so welcome! Thank you.

[@mahemech04]

wonderful explanation about INDIRECT function, especially combining DATA VALIDATION and INDIRECT function was totally awesome...

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Mahendran.

[@guitarvorous]

Awesome! Its explained in such a brilliant way! All thumbs up!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you, Yeasir.

[@anelimrimo]

Excelente explanation, thanks so much.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you.

[@gurgsindine06]

Awesome explanation of a far to underused function in excel! Thank you sir.

[@Computergaga]

Glad you liked it Richard. Thank you for your comments.

[@mirriambwalya950]

Thank you. Clear explanation.

[@Computergaga]

Great. You're welcome, Mirriam.

[@madnor2028]

awesome!!!
thank you so much mr gaga.

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome.

[@meteora8888]

thanks. nice and simple to understand examples.

[@Computergaga]

You are welcome! Thank you.

[@avinashjadhav2436]

This is a masterpiece, Sir!..... Agreed you have taught the world of this most useful function called , INDIRECT, I learnt in a very simple way, you voice is clear and audible plus has a very good command on the language plus the enthusiasm throughout the video was overwhelming.. Sir! Thanks a ton.... From India

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome Avinash, thank you very much.

[@sumuduwijayarathna2822]

Simple and clear, thank you. keep the good work

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much, Sumudu.

[@inpain537]

THIS IS THE BEST DISCUSSION OF INDIRECT FUNCTION! THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@Computergaga]

Thank you.

[@ishaanrao4184]

You were of great help. Very clear explanation! Thank you :)

[@Computergaga]

Glad to hear that! Thank you, Ishaan.

[@Murthyams]

Thats wonderful !!!
Thanks again

[@Computergaga]

My pleasure Murthy.

[@hiliaryjohnson5188]

Awesome tutorial! Brilliant!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much.

[@GeethMilan]

Went through many videos to land at this conclusive & the best video on INDIRECT ...thank u

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much 🙂 Glad it was useful.

[@gracema3886]

Great video thank you I found it helpful!

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome, thank you.

[@selsset]

Reeeeeeally well explained. Thank you so much!

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome. Thank you.

[@dorvenabilix1991]

Excellent! It helped me a lot. Thanks!

[@Computergaga]

Super! Thank you very much 🙂

[@ca.lokenderchauhan2605]

Excellent. Best video on indirect funtion on TH-cam.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much.

[@anv.4614]

well appreciated Alan. well explained. Thanks

[@Computergaga]

Thank you 😊

[@pinoymysteryman]

Thank You. I am beginner but I am learning. THANKS A LOT.

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome Matt, thanks.

[@marynayakovenko5539]

Wow! Thank you for the amazing explanation, I finally got it 😃

[@Computergaga]

Awesome! My pleasure, Maryna.

[@MyMediaKH]

Your lessons so good.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you 😊

[@bhavitraja]

Super examples! Excellent

[@Computergaga]

Thank you bhavitraja.

[@sabbasachisaha]

Really helpful for me.thanks a lot sir

[@Computergaga]

Great to hear Sabbasachi.

[@AbhishekDaga93]

Awesome function and wonderful explanation.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you, Abhishek.

[@bharatgupta2858]

Great way to teach. Thanks

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Bharat.

[@mwambachilando5580]

Great video, beautiful learning.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Mwamba.

[@captainvlog]

Great video, thank you.

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome captainvlog.

[@yachatoueg3110]

Excellent tutorial!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Yacha.

[@balasubramanianshanmugam3721]

Good work. Very useful. Thanks for your efforts

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome Balasubramanian. Thank you.

[@mannychuks8016]

I'm 8 minutes in and I already came here to drop a comment on how amazing this explanation is. Also thanks for a little British humor.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Emmanuel. Your comment is appreciated.

[@shoaibrehman9988]

Sir,
This is one of best videos very easy way to describe thx

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much.

[@robsonbeckert380]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome, Robson.

[@GeorgeAJululian]

Thank you very helpful and a very good explanation

[@Computergaga]

Thank you very much.

[@Tanushree00099]

Thank you for the amazing video....

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome 👍 Thanks

[@ramonhppacheco]

Brilliant, thanks a million

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome 👍

[@asirintisar5504]

Thanks for making such helpful video....

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome Asir.

[@Dan_Gilpin]

Was struggling to get this to work from the other videos I've watched, but the bit at 5:30 was exactly what I needed :D

[@Computergaga]

Excellent! Very happy to have helped.

[@wayneedmondson1065]

Hi Alan.. another excellent tutorial. I've never really done much with INDIRECT(). Like many people, I went along for many years thinking I knew EXCEL well. Your great videos show me all the things I've been missing. I'll definitely incorporate INDIRECT() into future projects, although I understand that as a volatile function, using INDIRECT() sparingly is advised. I particularly like its use for dependent drop downs.. very clever. Thanks for helping me build a more solid foundation of EXCEL skills which I can use in my business and life. Thumbs up!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Wayne. Yes it is a very helpful function.
Quite right in that it is a volatile function. So should be aware of such things when working with large workbooks as it can slow calculation speed.

[@PraveenKumar-mx8ns]

Thanks Realy useful...

[@Computergaga]

Great to hear. Thank you Praveen.

[@deninsrmic4165]

I was really not that versed in using =INDIRECT(function) and to be frank I was avoiding to use it. But after well expounded topic in this tutorial it makes a lot of sense what is used for and especially when it comes using it with named ranges. Thank you for explaining in minute detail and to the point for all of us. 👍

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome, Denin. Thank you for the comments.

[@obaidali1270]

Worthy fully watching Sir

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Obaid.

[@tobyiy]

incredible! thank you so much

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome!

[@mahansor8295]

Many thanks for this , great

[@Computergaga]

You are welcome! Thank you Mehran.

[@jackychawla5422]

thanks sir I had demanded u have completed extremely wonderful

[@Computergaga]

Not a problem Jacky. I promised you something on INDIRECT :)

[@_mahmoudkamel4016]

Fantastic
Many thanks

[@Computergaga]

Your welcome Mahmoud

[@amitkumar-ip6yv]

Excellent video

[@Computergaga]

Thanks Amit

[@shajupauljohn3244]

Alan, thanks for the video

[@Computergaga]

You're very welcome.

[@georgebenz8536]

Echoing other comments - this is fantastic explanation. Can't wait to use this function.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you, George.

[@zakeerrg3010]

AMAZING. Both your detailed lecture and your accent. I have become a fan of yours. Can we have your real name please.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Zakeer. My name is Alan Murray.

[@anonymous_553]

@@Computergaga I'm having trouble understanding and making use of the following formula =if(not(isblank(B31)), indirect("Income!D"&B31&":Q"&B31)," "). I'm a beginner, can you help please?

[@willm7994]

This is amazing thanks 🙏

[@Computergaga]

Thank you, Will.

[@adiga8591]

thanks for the good explanation

[@Computergaga]

You're welcome, thank you.

[@ahming123]

Awesome!! Like your channel!

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Nephilibata.

[@Liz-vm8kb]

Great vid. Thank you.

[@Computergaga]

Thank you Liz.