Try using INDIRECT. =VLOOKUP(A1,F:\Data\&INDIRECT(<Cell ref for John
Smith>)&Sheet1!$A$1:$D$50,3,FALSE).

I don't have another drive to test this, but it might work. I tested with
range names on the same workbook, and it worked fine.

"ERR229" wrote:

> I have a file containing a list of names in column A and a lookup to
> individual data files in column B
>
> John Smith =Vlookup(A1,F:\Data\[John Smith]Sheet1!$A$1:$D$50,3,false)
> Jane Doe =Vlookup(A1,F:\Data\[Jane Doe]Sheet1!$A$1:$D$50,3,false)
>
> The players sometimes change, so the reference to the file changes. I would
> like to be able to pull the filename reference in the formula from the name
> in column A. So if I change John Smith to Ted Nugent, the formula
> automatically references Ted Nugent's file.
>
> Does anyone know if this can be done?
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> --ERR
>
> --
> ERR229