INDIRECT.EXT problem with missing worksheets

[Barb Reinhardt]

I�ve been using the INDIRECT.EXT function for a while and am finding that I
have a consistent problem when worksheets are missing. I�m looking up data
in multiple workbooks on the same worksheet name, but find that if the
worksheet name does not exist, Excel seems to lock up.

There is a message that �Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application
to complete an OLE action� that will not go away. When I brute force exit
from Excel, a window is displayed asking for me to select another sheet to
use instead of the missing worksheet. I don�t want to use another sheet if
it�s not there. I'd rather move on or get an error in the cell. In
addition, there is an excel workbook with the name YMNQIYASUDYS created each
time there is a missing worksheet.

Can someone assist?

Thanks,
Barb Reinhardt

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 09:47:03 -0700, "Barb Reinhardt"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I�ve been using the INDIRECT.EXT function for a while and am finding that I
>have a consistent problem when worksheets are missing. I�m looking up data
>in multiple workbooks on the same worksheet name, but find that if the
>worksheet name does not exist, Excel seems to lock up.
>
>There is a message that �Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application
>to complete an OLE action� that will not go away. When I brute force exit
>from Excel, a window is displayed asking for me to select another sheet to
>use instead of the missing worksheet. I don�t want to use another sheet if
>it�s not there. I'd rather move on or get an error in the cell. In
>addition, there is an excel workbook with the name YMNQIYASUDYS created each
>time there is a missing worksheet.
>
>Can someone assist?
>
>Thanks,
>Barb Reinhardt

That function is part of Laurent Longre's morefunc.xll free add-in.

You should first check to see if you have the latest version (check at
http://xcell05.free.fr). If you do and are still seeing the problem, navigate
to the Forums board at that web site, and post your problem.

In the version I have, if a worksheet is missing, the function (as documented)
gives a #VALUE! error.


--ron

[Harlan Grove]

Ron Rosenfeld wrote...
>"Barb Reinhardt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>I've been using the INDIRECT.EXT function for a while and am finding that I
>>have a consistent problem when worksheets are missing. I'm looking up data
>>in multiple workbooks on the same worksheet name, but find that if the
>>worksheet name does not exist, Excel seems to lock up.
>>
>>There is a message that "Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application
>>to complete an OLE action" that will not go away. When I brute force exit
>>from Excel, a window is displayed asking for me to select another sheet to
>>use instead of the missing worksheet. I don't want to use another sheet if
>>it's not there. I'd rather move on or get an error in the cell. In
>>addition, there is an excel workbook with the name YMNQIYASUDYS created each
>>time there is a missing worksheet.
....

This looks like the same problem I had a few years ago using Automation
and another Excel instance to get data from closed workbooks by
entering generated formulas in the second instance.

When you enter a cell formula interactively or via macro, if that
formula contains token that are syntactically external reference links
but the workbook and worksheet combination doesn't exist, Excel
*ALWAYS* displays a dialog prompting you to choose another workbook or
worksheet. AFAIK, there's no way to disable these dialogs.

I finally got around this in my own pull udf by using
ExecuteExcel4Macro method calls, which don't cause these dialogs to
display when either workbook or worksheet don't exist. Looks like
Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT retrogressed from earlier versions.

>You should first check to see if you have the latest version (check at
>http://xcell05.free.fr). If you do and are still seeing the problem, navigate
>to the Forums board at that web site, and post your problem.
>
>In the version I have, if a worksheet is missing, the function (as documented)
>gives a #VALUE! error.

I get the same result as the OP using MOREFUNC.XLL version 3.7.1. This
was *NOT* the result I used to get using older versions. As I said
above, retrogression.

Note: bringing up Task Manager while Excel hangs doing this shows two
EXCEL.EXE processes, so it seems Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT also
uses a separate Excel instance to fetch data from closed workbooks.

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On 12 Oct 2005 11:47:03 -0700, "Harlan Grove" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Ron Rosenfeld wrote...
>>"Barb Reinhardt" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>I've been using the INDIRECT.EXT function for a while and am finding that I
>>>have a consistent problem when worksheets are missing. I'm looking up data
>>>in multiple workbooks on the same worksheet name, but find that if the
>>>worksheet name does not exist, Excel seems to lock up.
>>>
>>>There is a message that "Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application
>>>to complete an OLE action" that will not go away. When I brute force exit
>>>from Excel, a window is displayed asking for me to select another sheet to
>>>use instead of the missing worksheet. I don't want to use another sheet if
>>>it's not there. I'd rather move on or get an error in the cell. In
>>>addition, there is an excel workbook with the name YMNQIYASUDYS created each
>>>time there is a missing worksheet.
>...
>
>This looks like the same problem I had a few years ago using Automation
>and another Excel instance to get data from closed workbooks by
>entering generated formulas in the second instance.
>
>When you enter a cell formula interactively or via macro, if that
>formula contains token that are syntactically external reference links
>but the workbook and worksheet combination doesn't exist, Excel
>*ALWAYS* displays a dialog prompting you to choose another workbook or
>worksheet. AFAIK, there's no way to disable these dialogs.
>
>I finally got around this in my own pull udf by using
>ExecuteExcel4Macro method calls, which don't cause these dialogs to
>display when either workbook or worksheet don't exist. Looks like
>Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT retrogressed from earlier versions.
>
>>You should first check to see if you have the latest version (check at
>>http://xcell05.free.fr). If you do and are still seeing the problem, navigate
>>to the Forums board at that web site, and post your problem.
>>
>>In the version I have, if a worksheet is missing, the function (as documented)
>>gives a #VALUE! error.
>
>I get the same result as the OP using MOREFUNC.XLL version 3.7.1. This
>was *NOT* the result I used to get using older versions. As I said
>above, retrogression.
>
>Note: bringing up Task Manager while Excel hangs doing this shows two
>EXCEL.EXE processes, so it seems Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT also
>uses a separate Excel instance to fetch data from closed workbooks.

Interesting.

I am running 3.6.2 and, if the workbook does not exist, I get a #VALUE! error.

The current version is 3.8; I should download that and try it.


--ron

[Laurent Longre]

Harlan, Ron, Reinhardt,

Harlan Grove a �crit :

> When you enter a cell formula interactively or via macro, if that
> formula contains token that are syntactically external reference links
> but the workbook and worksheet combination doesn't exist, Excel
> *ALWAYS* displays a dialog prompting you to choose another workbook or
> worksheet. AFAIK, there's no way to disable these dialogs.

I agree with you.

> I finally got around this in my own pull udf by using
> ExecuteExcel4Macro method calls, which don't cause these dialogs to
> display when either workbook or worksheet don't exist. Looks like
> Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT retrogressed from earlier versions.

Indeed. I didn't remember this problem. :-(

The bug is fixed now, the next version will come soon (with a lot of new functions!)

Cordially,

Laurent

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 01:46:48 +0200, Laurent Longre <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>Harlan, Ron, Reinhardt,
>
>Harlan Grove a �crit :
>
>> When you enter a cell formula interactively or via macro, if that
>> formula contains token that are syntactically external reference links
>> but the workbook and worksheet combination doesn't exist, Excel
>> *ALWAYS* displays a dialog prompting you to choose another workbook or
>> worksheet. AFAIK, there's no way to disable these dialogs.
>
>I agree with you.
>
>> I finally got around this in my own pull udf by using
>> ExecuteExcel4Macro method calls, which don't cause these dialogs to
>> display when either workbook or worksheet don't exist. Looks like
>> Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT retrogressed from earlier versions.
>
>Indeed. I didn't remember this problem. :-(
>
>The bug is fixed now, the next version will come soon (with a lot of new functions!)
>
>Cordially,
>
>Laurent

Thank you for that. Much appreciated

--ron

[Laurent Longre]

It's done. :-)

Laurent

Ron Rosenfeld a �crit :
> On Mon, 17 Oct 2005 01:46:48 +0200, Laurent Longre <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Harlan, Ron, Reinhardt,
>>
>>Harlan Grove a �crit :
>>
>>
>>>When you enter a cell formula interactively or via macro, if that
>>>formula contains token that are syntactically external reference links
>>>but the workbook and worksheet combination doesn't exist, Excel
>>>*ALWAYS* displays a dialog prompting you to choose another workbook or
>>>worksheet. AFAIK, there's no way to disable these dialogs.
>>
>>I agree with you.
>>
>>
>>>I finally got around this in my own pull udf by using
>>>ExecuteExcel4Macro method calls, which don't cause these dialogs to
>>>display when either workbook or worksheet don't exist. Looks like
>>>Laurent Longre's INDIRECT.EXT retrogressed from earlier versions.
>>
>>Indeed. I didn't remember this problem. :-(
>>
>>The bug is fixed now, the next version will come soon (with a lot of new functions!)
>>
>>Cordially,
>>
>>Laurent
>
>
> Thank you for that. Much appreciated
>
> --ron

[Ron Rosenfeld]

On Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:22:18 +0200, Laurent Longre <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>It's done. :-)
>
>Laurent
>
>

Thank you. I will be downloading it shortly.

Best,
--ron