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OFFSET not working with workbook links

R0502 20 Reputation points
2025-08-08T08:50:41.7033333+00:00

Hi!

I'm trying to use the below formula, but get a #VALUE error that I really don't understand:

=OFFSET('https://Workbook Link/[Workbook.xlsx]August 25 Admin'!$A$1,SUM(ROW()-1),SUM(COLUMN()-1),1,1)

I've wrapped the ROW and COLUMN formulas in the SUM formula to help with the array issues. If I make the reference A1 (without the workbook link, so referencing Cell A1 on the same sheet as the formula) then it works fine, but as soon as I include the workbook link it just goes back to the #VALUE error again. Both the workbook I'm referencing and the workbook the formula is in are on the web version of excel, so it shouldn't be an issue with the file not being open.

Am I missing something really obvious? TIA

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For business | Other
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  1. HansV 462.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-08-08T10:28:56.6933333+00:00

    You write "Both the workbook I'm referencing and the workbook the formula is in are on the web version of excel, so it shouldn't be an issue with the file not being open." but that is precisely the problem: the other workbook is not open in the same instance of Excel, even if you have loaded it in another browser tab or window. OFFSET doesn't support references to a workbook that is not open in the same instance of Excel. In other words, it will only work in the desktop version.

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