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=OFFSET()

Returns a reference to a range that is a specified number of rows and columns from a cell or range of cells. The reference that is returned can be a single cell or a range of cells. You can specify the number of rows and the number of columns to be returned.

Applies To: Excel for Microsoft 365Excel for Microsoft 365 for MacExcel 2024Excel 2024 for MacExcel 2021Excel 2021 for MacExcel 2019Excel 2016

=OFFSET(reference, rows, cols, [height], [width])

Hover argument names in the table for details.

Output typeReference

Popularity60 / 100

VolatileYes

Dynamic ArrayNo

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◧ Arguments

Argument	Type	Required	Description
`reference`	Reference	Required	The reference from which you want to base the offset. Reference must refer to a cell or range of adjacent cells; otherwise, OFFSET returns the #VALUE! error value.
`rows`	Number	Required	The number of rows, up or down, that you want the upper-left cell to refer to. Using 5 as the rows argument specifies that the upper-left cell in the reference is five rows below reference. Rows can be positive (which means below the starting reference) or negative (which means above the starting reference).
`cols`	Number	Required	The number of columns, to the left or right, that you want the upper-left cell of the result to refer to. Using 5 as the cols argument specifies that the upper-left cell in the reference is five columns to the right of reference. Cols can be positive (which means to the right of the starting reference) or negative (which means to the left of the starting reference).
`height`	Number	Optional	The height, in number of rows, that you want the returned reference to be. Height must be a positive number.
`width`	Number	Optional	The width, in number of columns, that you want the returned reference to be. Width must be a positive number.

▣ Examples

Displays the value in cell B6 (4) =OFFSET(D3,3,-2,1,1)

Result: 4

Sums the range B6:D8 =SUM(OFFSET(D3:F5,3,-2, 3, 3))

Result: 34

Returns an error, because the reference is to a non-existent range on the worksheet. =OFFSET(D3, -3, -3)

Result: #REF!

§ Remarks

If rows and cols offset reference over the edge of the worksheet, OFFSET returns the #REF! error value.
If height or width is omitted, it is assumed to be the same height or width as reference.
OFFSET doesn't actually move any cells or change the selection; it just returns a reference. OFFSET can be used with any function expecting a reference argument. For example, the formula SUM(OFFSET(C2,1,2,3,1)) calculates the total value of a 3-row by 1-column range that is 1 row below and 2 columns to the right of cell C2.

✦ Tips

If height or width is omitted, it is assumed to be the same height or width as reference.
OFFSET doesn't actually move any cells or change the selection; it just returns a reference. OFFSET can be used with any function expecting a reference argument. For example, the formula SUM(OFFSET(C2,1,2,3,1)) calculates the total value of a 3-row by 1-column range that is 1 row below and 2 columns to the right of cell C2.

⚠ Common Errors

#REF! If rows and cols offset reference over the edge of the worksheet, OFFSET returns the #REF! error value.

Fix: Check the offset numbers and the size of the range

#VALUE! Reference must refer to a cell or range of adjacent cells; otherwise, OFFSET returns the #VALUE! error value.

Fix: برای Reference یک ارجاع معتبر به سلول یا محدوده پیوسته وارد کنید.

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