How to Reference Cells that move around quite often

[Grepees]

I have a spread sheet in which I reference cells in another excel file. The issue is that every month, due to the way this second file gets populated, the columns all shift around making me have to re-link my file again. Is there a formula that can still pull in my data without having to relink all the cells again? The example illustrates what I am talking about. In Month Feb, the columns shifted from column CA to Column CK.
Sample

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 257pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=343><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" width=64><COL style="WIDTH: 17pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 841" width=23><COL style="WIDTH: 48pt" span=4 width=64><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 48pt; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" height=20 width=64>File B</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 17pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" width=23></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 96pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; mso-ignore: colspan" width=128 colSpan=2>File A Month Jan</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; WIDTH: 96pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8; mso-ignore: colspan" width=128 colSpan=2>File A Month Feb</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>AB</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>CA</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>CK</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl63 height=20>20-30yrs</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl63>20-30Yrs</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl63>20-30Yrs</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>26</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>26</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>26</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>20</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>20</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>20</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>24</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>24</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>24</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>29</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>29</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>29</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; HEIGHT: 15pt; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64 height=20>22</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>22</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8"></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM-COLOR: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-RIGHT-COLOR: #ece9d8; BORDER-LEFT-COLOR: #ece9d8" class=xl64>22</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[bobsan42]

is there something unique which can help find the new column location?
or how exactly the columns move?
pls give some more detailed info.

 

[mikerickson]

Named ranges adjust automatically to cell insertion and deletion and Cut/Paste operations.

 

[Grepees]

@ Bobsan42....Very sorry.. There are headings over each columns. For this purpose lets assume that Column CA and CK both have the column headers as "Broad". This is the name that will be used to identify the column when it shifts. Thank you and hope it helps.

@ Mikerickson....Can you please explain what you mean by named ranges? Thank you very much.

 

[bobsan42]

Mikerickson means that if your data is populated by inserting new columns the references to ranges, cells or their assigned names are dajusted to point to the new location.
But if all the data is deleted and completely filled again - this will not work.
so if the column you're looking for has a header "Broad" then you will need to locate the column. so a reference to cell CK2 will be something like:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(2,MATCH("Broad",1:1)))
if it is on another sheet use something like this:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(2,MATCH("Broad",Sheet1!1:1),,,"Sheet1"))
if you put this in cell A2 need to fill this down you will also need row number to increase accordingly, so may be something like:
=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(row(),MATCH("Broad",Sheet1!1:1),,,"Sheet1"))
you will need to adjust the sheet names etc. to match you needs.
hope it helps.

 

[mikerickson]

Named ranges are explained in Help.
They are a way to give cells a name,
If cells are inserted, cells will be moved and the name will refer to the cells new location.

 

[bobsan42]

Thank you very much. Sorry for getting back to you a little late. The Formulas seem to work when the links are within the same file or on separate sheets within the same file. What do you do when the links are to a different file. Lets assume the new file name is "Sugar"

=INDIRECT(ADDRESS(row(),MATCH("Broad",[Sugar]Sheet1!1:1),,,"[Sugar]Sheet1"))

this should do i think
only ont thing. for indirect to work and get the data the file Sugar should also be opened.