Excel Reference to Another Sheet

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Reference to Another Sheet in Excel

An Excel reference to another sheet is required when we need to get the data from another sheet or even from a different workbook. In Excel, we link cells to make the formula dynamic and real-time.

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How to Reference Another Sheet or Workbook in Excel? (with Examples)

Example #1 - Reference in the Same Worksheet

To give reference to an Excel cell or range of cells from the same worksheets is not the toughest job in the world. First, we need to select the required cell from the resulting cell.

  1. Assume we are in cell E8. We need the data from the B2 cell.


    Reference to Another sheet Example 1-1

  2. In the B2 cell, we have the Apple price. So, we need the same number to be linked to the E8 cell. Therefore, we must open an equal sign in the E8 cell.


    Reference to Another sheet Example 1-2

  3. We can select the particular cell by mouse (B2 cell) or type B2 directly. Then, press the Enter key now. We have a value from cell B2 to E8.


    Reference to Another sheet Example 1-2

  4. Now, the E8 cell is completely dependent on the B2 cell. Therefore, any changes in cell B2 will directly affect the E8 cell except for cell formatting.


    Reference to Another sheet Example 1-3

Example #2 - Reference in the Same Workbook but from Different Sheet

Referencing a cell from the same sheet in Excel does not need rocket science knowledge. Similarly, referencing the different worksheets in the same workbook is also simple.

Assume you have a sheet named Sheet1 & Sheet2.

Reference to Another sheet Example 2

In Sheet1, we have sales data, and in Sheet2, we need the total of these sales data.

Reference to Another sheet Example 2-1

Now, we must open the SUM function in Sheet2 and A2 cells.

Reference to Another sheet Example 2-2

Next, go to Sheet1 and select the required cell range, B2 to B6.

Reference to Another sheet Example 2-3

Now, close the formula and press the "Enter" key.

Example 2-4

Now take a look at the formula reference =SUM in Excel (Sheet1! B2:B6).

So, to reference an Excel cell or range of cells from another sheet, we need to get a worksheet name first, i.e., Sheet1, followed by an exclamation mark (!) before we mention the cell address, B2: B6.

In the case of a single-cell worksheet, the name and cell address will be =Sheet1! B2.

Example 2-5

In this way, we can reference the different worksheet cells in the same workbook. A simple thing is when we reference the cell from the various worksheets in the same workbook, we may get the sheet names before the cell reference.

Example #3 - Reference in the Different Workbook Sheet

We get a sheet name while referencing a cell or range of cells from another sheet. Similarly, when referencing an Excel cell or range of cells from different workbooks, we get a workbook name, worksheet name, and cell reference.

For example, we have two workbooks, "Main File" and "ABC File."

sheet Example 3

From "Main File,"we need to refer to cell B2 from sheet "Sheet2." Then, we must open the equal sign in "ABC File."

sheet Example 3-1

Now go to the workbook Main File > Sheet2 and select A2 cell.

sheet Example 3-2

So we got another sheet reference as ='' Sheet2''! $A$2.

'' Sheet2.'' It is the first thing we got in the cell reference. ''Main File.xlsx'' is the workbook we are referring to. Here, ''Main File'' is the workbook we refer to, and ''.xlsx'' is the file excel extension of the workbook.

"Sheet2" is the worksheet name in the "Main File" workbook.

Therefore, "$A$2" is the cell we refer to in "Sheet2" in the "Main File" workbook.

Note: When the cell or range of cells is referred from another workbook. It will create the cell reference as an absolute cell reference. In the above example, $A$2 indicates the same. We have seen how to reference the cell from a different workbook. Below is the cell reference from another sheet we got.

sheet Example 3-3

It is the reference we got when we opened the workbook. Next, we will close the workbook "Main File" and see the impact on this Excel cell reference.

It looks like rocket science.

But this is not as intimidating as we are thinking right now. So let us take a close look at the reference now.

Another sheet Example 4

='E:sharmilaSheet2'!$A$2

='E: is the drive in your computer or laptop.

sharmila is the main folder name in the Drive =’E:

is the file name.

Sheet2'!$A$2 is the worksheet name and cell reference.

Things to Remember

  • When referencing cells from the same sheet, we only get cell addresses.
  • When referencing a cell from another sheet in Excel but the same workbook, we may get the worksheet names we are referring to and the cell address in that worksheet.
  • We get a relative excel reference if the cell is referred from another Excel worksheet in the same workbook, A2.
  • If the cell is referred from another workbook in Excel, we get an absolute reference, $A$2.