The indirect function and linking to other files

Hello all,

This is my problem. I have 2 files: one file is called CODADOWN.XLS and it
resides on the following path: g:\finance\monthend\CODADOWN.XLS and it
contains a data range called CODADL.

I have another file called FILEONE which has the following vlookup

=if(iserr(vlookup("F8617",indirect(b3),3,false)),0,vlookup("F8617",indirect(
b3),3,false)

in b3 cell I have the following: CODADOWN.XLS!CODADL. As you know, the
indirect function only works if the other file (ie. CODADOWN.XLS) is already
open. But I want my vlookup to function to work even if CODADOWN.XLS is
closed and the only way is to have the function syntax as

=if(iserr(vlookup("F8617",g:\finance\monthend\CODADOWN.XLS'!CODADL,3,false))
,0,vlookup("F8617",g:\finance\monthend\CODADOWN.XLS'!CODADL,3,false)

I have to believe there is a better and shorter way to put the path in the
vlookup formula. I have this cell in many cells in the spreadsheet. If I
change where the CODADOWN.XLS file resides, I have to go through a massive
exercise of changing all the cells and the path with the search and replace
function. With the indirect function I only had to change the file path in
cell b3 and be done with it.

Is there a more elegant way to make the vlookup work if the datafile
CODADOWN.XLS is closed. The indirect function seemed like the best way,
but does anybody know another way ?

Thanks