Formula to include variable within defined range

[ukmike007]

Hi All

I am trying to create a formula that contains some kind of dynamic range within it to vary where it looks for data (without VBA):

I have a list of employees, with which department they work in:

Employee Name Employee Department
Employee # 1 Department 1
Employee # 2 Department 2
Employee # 3 Department 3

I then want to create a formula in a subsequent column that will go and retrieve a number from the spreadsheet which contains the KPI's for that department e.g.

Department 1 KPI's
Department 2 KPI's
Department 3 KPI's

For example if I wanted to look up cell D5 of Employee 1's department it would be

='Department 1 KPI''s'!D5

What I need to be able to do is create a formula that will insert a referenced department name in place of what I now have a static reference "Department 1" from within the expression.

There will be dozens of departments, with actual department names and there is potential for employees to change department so I need it to be a truly variable expression please.

Thanks

Mike

 

[Eric W]

Look into the INDIRECT function. If "Employee #1" is in A2, and "Department 1" is in B2, then your KPI formula would be:

=INDIRECT("'"&B2&" KPI''s!D5")

 

[richh]

You can use the INDIRECT function and VLOOKUP function.

=VLOOKUP(A2, INDIRECT("'" & B2 & " KPI'!A2:B5"), 2,0)

 

[ukmike007]

Thanks both... I had to tweak it by removing the ' from the tab name as it was not working, but I have a working solution between your answers.

 

[Eric W]

Glad we could help!

 

[smozgur]

Thanks both... I had to tweak it by removing the ' from the tab name as it was not working, but I have a working solution between your answers.

Glad to hear you got the solution.

Do you mind posting about your solution? Then it is perfectly fine to mark your post as the solution to help future readers.