Drag formula down and skip 2 cell references instead of 1 cell reference

It is difficult for me to explain my excel situation but I am sure I am not the first. I apologize if this problem has already been posted and solved. Here goes:

I have a spreadsheet with 2 tabs. The 2nd spreadsheet (tab) has a formula that links to the 1st spreadsheet (tab).

Here is the specific formula from the 2nd spreadsheet:

=SUM((hours!O37)hours!O38))

The 1st spreadsheet is named "hours" and the 2nd spreadsheet is named "g22".

When on the 2nd spreadsheet, I can drag that forumula down as always. However, if I do so, then cells change by 1 cell unit.

For example, this original formula:

=SUM((hours!O37)hours!O38))

Turns into this formula if I drag down 1 row:

=SUM((hours!O38)hours!O39))

Instead, I want the original formula to do this when I drag down 1 row:

=SUM((hours!O39)hours!O40))

Do you see the difference? I want it to jump 2 cell references instead of 1 cell reference. I don't know what this is called. I am sure specific terminology exists but I don't know it.

Could someone tell me what to do or at least point me in a good direction?

Thank you!

Update: Ok this is strange. I just submitted my post. In my posted formulas I use the colon ":" but it is showing a purple sad frown face instead. I don't know why. Regardless, that purple sad frown face should be ":"

Thread bump . . . . anyone . . . . Bueller ?

I think I might understand the issue.

Try using a combination of these functions:

ADDRESS
Address(1,1)=A1

ROW
Returns row number of a given address.

COLUMN
Returns Column number of a given address.


Using some combination of these, you should be able to say "this should be the same column as the reference address, but 2x the row number".

If you need more guidance, feel free to post the sheet.

Dan

It's because you wrote

=SUM((hours!O37) : (hours!O38))

I put the spaces there to prevent the same problem again.
It sees the : ( as an emoticon for a sad smiley.

Anyway,thats a bit overkill with all the parenthesis.
You can just write it like
=SUM(hours!O37:hours!O38)

Further, you don't need the sheet name on the 2nd cell reference on the right, so it's just
=SUM(hours!O37:O38)

This was just to get the actual formula correctly posted.
I'll work on the solution to the actual problem now, hang on.

Yes, the shortened forumula still works. Thank you!

try

=SUM(OFFSET(hours!$O$37:$O$38,(ROWS(A$1:A1)-1)*2,0))

DO NOT change the A$1:A1 reference, it is not related to your data.

None volatile formula

=INDEX(hours!O$37:O$1000,(ROWS($1:1)-1)*2+1)+INDEX(hours!O$37:O$1000,(ROWS($1:1)-1)*2+2)

Teethless mama,

What do you mean when you write "none volatile forumula"?