Share via

Indirect formula working on one phone, but not an identical one

Cathy Palmieri Stuart 0 Reputation points
2026-05-22T13:04:44.3233333+00:00

I have an excel file that located on my Google Drive and is shared. It includes several dropdown lists that are named ranges. I am using the INDIRECT formula in one cell, dependent on the choice selected in another cell. This works perfectly on my laptop and on my team member's Samsung S20 FE. I have the exact same phone, but this is not working on my phone. Instead it is pulling up the name of list only. I've checked versions, I've cleared cache in the excel app on my phone, I've uninstalled the file and readded it to the home screen. Nothing works. Any ideas?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | Other | Android

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Marcin Policht 90,970 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2026-05-22T13:33:20.91+00:00

    If the workbook and formula work on a laptop and on another Samsung S20 FE, the workbook itself is probably not the problem. The fact that your phone shows the named range name rather than the items from the named range suggests Excel Mobile on your device is either failing to evaluate the INDIRECT() reference correctly in data validation or is opening the file in a mode with limited support for that feature.

    If the file is stored on Google Drive and opened from there, try downloading a local copy to your phone and opening it directly in Excel. Sometimes cloud-provider integration affects how Excel Mobile handles advanced workbook features.

    Check whether the workbook is actually opening in the Excel app and not being previewed through a Google Drive or Office viewer layer. Even if it appears to be Excel, the file association can matter.

    Compare the Excel app build number on both phones, not just the version shown in the Play Store. In Excel, go to Settings > About and compare the full build numbers. Microsoft occasionally rolls out features and fixes gradually.

    Test the dependent dropdown in a brand-new workbook on your phone. Create a simple named range and use:

    =INDIRECT(A1)

    in the data validation source. If that fails in a new workbook, the issue is specific to Excel on that device rather than your shared file.

    Also verify the workbook calculation mode. If you can open the file on a desktop version of Excel, save it with calculation set to Automatic and then reopen it on the phone.

    If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

    hth

    Marcin

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.