How to Reference a String in a Way Similar to the OFFSET function

Hi, I'm trying to reference a cell in the same way that is possible using the OFFSET function, but I a want to return a string instead of a value. I am only trying to reference one cell's string at a time.

In column A I have a series of strings, but in column B there are 5 rows that pertain to A1, 5 that pertain to A2, etc. I want to be able to copy and paste a formula in column B that will always reference the correct string in column A.

Thanks!

Alright, I've attached the result I want, I am hoping to make it so that the cells in the second column automatically know how to reference the right string in the first column. Thanks!

Try

=INDEX($A$2:$A$4,CEILING(ROWS($1:1)/5,1))&" - "&MOD(ROWS($1:1)-1,5)+1

So far that returns "String 1 -1" every time, doesn't matter which cell I paste it into.

Right, the first one will be String 1 - 1

When you then Fill it down, it will incriment
So in the book you posted, put that formula in B2, then Fill down.

Alright I apologize I need to be more specific. I'm working on a workbook that has certain patterns. In most of the sheets, a single row pertains to String 1. In other sheets, there may be several rows (eg. 5) that pertain to string 1. Once I get those 5 rows the way I want them, I want to be able to copy and paste them down so that they pertain to String 2. You can see what I mean in the file I uploaded. I feel like there should be a way to mathematically reference a cell, but have that reference change depending on where you are pasting the formula. I can easily do it with the OFFSET function, but the OFFSET function always returns a value and not a string.

Oops, here's the file

I don't understand how the formula I posted doesn't resolve that?

That IS a mathematical pattern of every 5 cells.
change the 2 5's in the formula to say 7, then it's every 7 cells.
=INDEX($A$2:$A$4,CEILING(ROWS($1:1)/7,1))&" - "&MOD(ROWS($1:1)-1,7)+1

You can put that # in another designated cell to change as you wish, say D1
=INDEX($A$2:$A$4,CEILING(ROWS($1:1)/$D$1,1))&" - "&MOD(ROWS($1:1)-1,$D$1)+1

Don't use blah blah...at least not for every single cell.
There is no way for me to know which string any cell on Second Sheet is supposed to refer to from the first sheet.

I pretty much just want the equivalent the OFFSET function, but where it returns a string instead of a value. I have a much better example of what I'm looking for in the file I have attached. I apologize I wasn't more clear before. I want to be able to copy and paste the formula the same way I can with the OFFSET function.

I'm sorry, I'm still confused.

"But where it returns a string isntead of a value"...
WHAT string? Where will that string come from?

Here's the same file you just posted, but I replaced A1:A3 with Strings instead of numbers. Formula in column B is the same as you made it.

Thanks, in my more complicated workbook I was working on I had a zero returned, so I assumed that strings wouldn't work with the OFFSET function. Since they do, I'm good, thanks, sorry for the hassle!

You're welcome..

If it's returning a 0, that indicates the cell ultimately being referenced is either actually 0 or Blank.
Indicating that the 'Math' worked out to a cell that was beyond the scope of the original referenced data.

You can wrap the entire formula in the T function to ensure it is returned as a TEXT string.
So if the resulting value ends up as 0, it will be converted to a blank ""

=T(OFFSET(A$1,(ROW()-1)/5,0,1,1))