checking a variable number of cells in a column

[Thatos]

I'm trying to write a formula to have one cell add a specific, varying number of cells from a column.

currently all i've figured out is a long if-then statement similar to the following

if a1=1;
then send b1
else if a1=2
then send sum(b1:b2)
else if a1=3
then send sum(b1:b3)
and so forth.


Is there a way to condense this so it's both easier to write and can be extended past the original parameters without going back to extend the code?

In theory the formula I am looking for would work something like this.

find the sum of cells b1-b(x) where x is equal to the integer in cell a1

[Pete_UK]

Try this:

=SUM(INDIRECT("B1:B"&A1))

Hope this helps.

Pete

[Thatos]

Thank you, that works perfectly.