How to use the indirect function

Mondo Fashionable Updated on 2024-02-01

"An indirect function is a function that is used in electronic software such as Microsoft Excel to refer to the contents of other cells. Its main role is to get the contents of a cell by a given cell reference without using the cell reference directly. Here's how to use indirect functions:

1.Open Excel,Create a new workbook or open an existing workbook.

2.Enter an indirect function in one cell. For example, enter -=indirect(b1) in cell A1 – where cell B1 contains the cell address to be referenced.

3.Press enterAt this time, the A1 cell will display the contents of the cells specified in the B1 cell.

4.If you need to change the referenced cell address,Just change the address in cell B1. For example, change the address in cell B1 to C1, then cell A1 will display the contents in cell C1.

5.You can use relative and absolute references to control the behavior of indirect functions. For example, if the address in cell B1 is a relative reference (such as A1), when the address of cell B1 changes, cell A1 will display the cell contents of the new relative position;If the address in cell B1 is an absolute reference (like $a$1), cell A1 will always display the contents of cell $a$1 when the address of cell B1 changes.

6.The same indirect function can be used in multiple cells. For example, enter -=indirect(b2)-=indirect(b3)-etc. in cells such as a2, a3, etc., so that these cells will display the contents of the cells specified in cells such as b2, b3, etc., respectively.

7.You can use nested indirect functions to implement more complex functions. For example, enter -=indirect(indirect(b1)) in cell A1 — so that cell A1 will display the contents of another cell specified in cell B1.

8.You can use conditional statements (such as if, and, or, etc.) in combination with indirect functions to achieve more flexible functionality. For example, enter -=if(b1=) in cell A1"a", indirect("c1"), indirect("d1"))—so that when the value in cell b1 is"a", cell A1 will display the contents of cell C1;When the value in cell b1 is not"a", the A1 cell will display the contents of the D1 cell.

9.Batch processing can be achieved using array formulas. For example, enter -=indirect($b$1:$b$3) in the A1:A3 cell range and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter so that the A1:A3 cell range will display the contents of the cells specified in the B1:B3 cells respectively.

It's important to note that indirect functions can cause performance issues in some cases, especially when dealing with large amounts of data or complex formulas. Therefore, when using indirect functions, you should minimize the number and complexity of their use. At the same time, make sure to use relative and absolute references correctly to avoid unexpected results. "Office skills

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