Content of a cell as column in formula?

[unclefish]

Dear Excelists,
I'd appreciate your help with the following problem:
I have an Excel worksheet with some numbers in columns E and F (see the screenshot).
In my cell B2, I would like to calculate the sum of the numbers in one of the two columns. I indicate the relevant column in cell B1 (in this example I selected column E)

How do i modify the default SUM formula, so that it looks up cell B1 and uses the content of this cell as column in the formula?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Joe4]

Here is one way:

=SUM(INDIRECT(B1 & "1:" & B1 & "5"))

 

[arthurbr]

A possibility depending on eventual other requirements

=SUM(INDEX(E1:F5,,CODE(C1)-100))

 

[unclefish]

Thanks Joe4, this is exactly what i needed!
Thanks arthurbr for your comment too!

 

[arthurbr]

Most welcome

 

[Joe4]

You are welcome.
Glad we were able to help!