How to use "INDIRECT" function

Lets say we have production log sheet for technicians to put a "x" in the relevant cell, as shown below. Technicians assigned working on the particular date enters a cross "x" in the corresponding row and corresponding column (his/her name).

Then we need to get all the names in column C. This will be very help full in many ways. 

Use formula in cell C2 and populate as needed. 

=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(2,MATCH("x",D3:K3,0)+COLUMN()))

Lets analyse the formula, 

1. INDIRECT needs the cell reference.

2. To get the reference cell I am using ADDRESS function. Address function requires row number and column number.

3. Row number is 2, as that is the contains name of the technicians.

4. Column number is bit complicated. Use MATCH function to find the column number within the selected range (in this example D3:K3). Use COLUMN function to find the column number where the result to be displayed (column C in this example).  

MATCH("x",D3:K3,0)+COLUMN()

The result will be like image below,

Comments are welcome.

How to use AREAS function

Let's look at the syntax.

AREAS(reference)

Well, not a complicated function. An area is a range of contiguous cells or a single cell. For example AREAS(B1) = 1 and AREAS(B1:B10) =1. Please note whether the cell contains a value or not will not change the outcome of the results. 

If we use multiple reference then the result will count of the references, for example AREAS((B2,B3,B11)) = 3.

There is another use of this function, which actually uses the " contiguous" part.

There are two lists, list1 and list2 in the worksheet. In this case AREAS will give the number of overlapping cells.

AREAS(list1 list2) = 6

As always love to have your comments.

Using ADDRESS function

Lets look at the syntax first.

Syntax

ADDRESS(row_num, column_num, [abs_num], [a1], [sheet_text])

1. row_num can be specified by numerical or by row() function. 

2. column_num can be specified by numerical or  by column() function.

3. abs_num has 4 choices,

abs_num	Returns this type of reference
1 or omitted	Absolute (absolute cell reference: In a formula, the exact address of a cell, regardless of the position of the cell that contains the formula. An absolute cell reference takes the form $A$1.)
2	Absolute row; relative column
3	Relative row; absolute column
4	Relative

4. a1 has two options, TRUE, 1 or omitted and FALSE or 0. TRUE, 1 or omitted will give A1 style and FALSE will give R1C1 style. 

5. sheet_text specifies the sheet name in which the cell is located. Please note sheet names are case sensitive.

Lets look at the different possibilities.

Formula	Results
=ADDRESS(1,1)	$A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,1)	$A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,1,1)	$A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,1,0)	R1C1
=ADDRESS(1,1,1,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!$A$1
=ADDRESS(ROW(A1),COLUMN(A1),1,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!$A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,1,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!$A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,2,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!A$1
=ADDRESS(1,1,3,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!$A1
=ADDRESS(1,1,4,1,"Sheet1")	Sheet1!A1

Simply put this function will give the cell number. So whats the big deal about a cell number. Well it can be used in labeling.

Example

Look at the example below,

It works fine till a row or column added or removed. 

Now the label become meaningless as name should be entered in E3. 

The solution is to use ADDRESS function.

="Please enter the name in cell "&ADDRESS(ROW(E2),COLUMN(E2),4,)

It works fine even a row or column added or removed. By this way the label auto adjusts.

Add a row...

Add a column...

The label adjusts automatically.

In the same way a range can be specified in a label. Using formula as shown below,

="Please enter the name in cell "&ADDRESS(ROW(F3),COLUMN(F3),4,)&":"&ADDRESS(ROW(F20),COLUMN(F20),4,) 

Love to have your comments.