Скачать или смотреть Dynamically Referencing a Sheet Range in Google Sheets

Learn how to dynamically reference a sheet range using a cell value in Google Sheets with this step-by-step guide. Simplify your formulas and improve your spreadsheets!
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/71020364/ asked by the user 'Sergiu Poenaru' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/4503321/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/71026544/ provided by the user 'player0' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5632629/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Dynamically Referencing a Sheet Range in Google Sheets

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to reference a specific range of cells in Google Sheets, but the column letter was only stored in a single cell? This is a common problem faced by many users trying to optimize their spreadsheets. Thankfully, there is a solution to this problem. In this post, we'll explore how to dynamically reference a sheet's range using a cell value and simplify your Google Sheets experience.

The Problem

Imagine you have a functional formula like the one shown below:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This formula works perfectly by filtering the dump sheet for active records in column G (from rows 1 to 1000). However, what if you want to take it a step further and make the reference to column G dynamic? Let's say cell A1 contains the value G:G, and you want to modify the formula to use that cell's value instead.

You might try something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Unfortunately, this won't work due to incorrect syntax for dynamic referencing.

The Solution: Using the INDIRECT Function

The key to solving this problem lies in using the INDIRECT function. Here’s the formula that accomplishes the dynamic referencing:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Breaking It Down

Understanding the INDIRECT Function:

The INDIRECT function returns a reference specified by a text string. This means that you can construct cell references dynamically.

In the formula, INDIRECT("dump!"&A1) builds a reference to the column defined in A1 of the dump sheet.

Constructing the Formula:

In this specific case, if cell A1 contains the text G:G, INDIRECT("dump!"&A1) will effectively become dump!G:G.

Now, the FILTER function can evaluate whether the values in the dynamically referenced column equal "Active".

Constraints to Remember:

Make sure that the range you are referencing (in this case, G:G) contains exactly 1000 rows. If it does not, you will encounter an ARRAY_ error.

Adjust the number of rows or the range accordingly to avoid these issues.

Example Use Case

Suppose you have a Google Sheet tracking various statuses of projects, and you want to filter for active projects based on different criteria. By leveraging the dynamic sheet range functionality, you can easily switch the column you want to analyze in a matter of seconds simply by updating the value in cell A1.

Conclusion

Dynamic references can significantly enhance your capabilities in managing data within Google Sheets. Using the INDIRECT function allows you to create versatile formulas that adapt based on input values, thereby streamlining your workflow. Now, you're equipped to handle cell references in a more dynamic and efficient way. Try it out in your spreadsheet today!

With this knowledge, you can take your spreadsheet skills to a new level and make your data analysis efficient and more interactive. Happy sheet filtering!