This article describes the formula syntax and usage of the ADDRESS function in Microsoft Excel. Find links to information about working with mailing addresses or creating mailing labels in the See Also section.

Description

You can use the ADDRESS function to obtain the address of a cell in a worksheet, given specified row and column numbers. For example, ADDRESS(2,3) returns $C$2. As another example, ADDRESS(77,300) returns $KN$77. You can use other functions, such as the ROW and COLUMN functions, to provide the row and column number arguments for the ADDRESS function.

Syntax

ADDRESS(row_num, column_num, [abs_num], [a1], [sheet_text])

The ADDRESS function syntax has the following arguments:

  • row_num    Required. A numeric value that specifies the row number to use in the cell reference.

  • column_num    Required. A numeric value that specifies the column number to use in the cell reference.

  • abs_num    Optional. A numeric value that specifies the type of reference to return.

abs_num

Returns this type of reference

1 or omitted

Absolute

2

Absolute row; relative column

3

Relative row; absolute column

4

Relative

  • A1    Optional. A logical value that specifies the A1 or R1C1 reference style. In A1 style, columns are labeled alphabetically, and rows are labeled numerically. In R1C1 reference style, both columns and rows are labeled numerically. If the A1 argument is TRUE or omitted, the ADDRESS function returns an A1-style reference; if FALSE, the ADDRESS function returns an R1C1-style reference.

    Note: To change the reference style that Excel uses, click the File tab, click Options, and then click Formulas. Under Working with formulas, select or clear the R1C1 reference style check box.

  • sheet_text    Optional. A text value that specifies the name of the worksheet to be used as the external reference. For example, the formula =ADDRESS(1,1,,,"Sheet2") returns Sheet2!$A$1. If the sheet_text argument is omitted, no sheet name is used, and the address returned by the function refers to a cell on the current sheet.

Example

Copy the example data in the following table, and paste it in cell A1 of a new Excel worksheet. For formulas to show results, select them, press F2, and then press Enter. If you need to, you can adjust the column widths to see all the data.

Formula

Description

Result

=ADDRESS(2,3)

Absolute reference

$C$2

=ADDRESS(2,3,2)

Absolute row; relative column

C$2

=ADDRESS(2,3,2,FALSE)

Absolute row; relative column in R1C1 reference style

R2C[3]

=ADDRESS(2,3,1,FALSE,"[Book1]Sheet1")

Absolute reference to another workbook and worksheet

'[Book1]Sheet1'!R2C3

=ADDRESS(2,3,1,FALSE,"EXCEL SHEET")

Absolute reference to another worksheet

'EXCEL SHEET'!R2C3

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