# INDIRECT

Spread for WinForms provides advanced software components that support Excel import/export, full cell customization, an extensive calculation engine with over 450 functions and more, all with zero dependencies on Excel.

## Content



This function returns the reference specified by a text string.

## Syntax

INDIRECT(*Reftext*,*A1*)

## Arguments

This function has these arguments:

| **Argument** | **Description** |
| -------- | ----------- |
| *Reftext* | A reference to a cell that contains an A1 reference, an R1C1 reference, a name defined as a reference, or a text string reference to a cell. This argument is required. |
| *A1* | A logical value that specifies what type of reference is contained in the cell *Reftext*. This argument is optional. |

## Remarks

Use INDIRECT when you want to change the reference to a cell within a formula without changing the formula itself. *Reftext* is interpreted as an A1 reference if *A1* is TRUE or omitted. *Reftext* is interpreted as an R1C1 reference if *A1* is FALSE. If *Reftext* is not a valid cell reference, INDIRECT returns the #REF! error value. Changing a cell value causes the INDIRECT function and all dependent cells to recalculate.

## Data Types

Accepts any data. Returns any data type.

## Example

`INDIRECT("A1")`
`INDIRECT(A1)`
`INDIRECT("R[-"&B1&"]C[-"&B2&"]", false)`

## Version Available

This function is available in Spread for Windows Forms 11.0 or later.

## See Also

[LOOKUP](/spreadnet/docs/latest/online-formula/formulas-functionsall/formulas-functsFtoK/FunctionLOOKUP)