Why doesn't this vlookup formula using the indirect function work?

Question

I am using VLOOKUP but rather than hardcode a reference to the file's location I want to use the INDIRECT function to reference the file's location. However, my attempt at it doesn't work. What's wrong with this?

=VLOOKUP(A2, INDIRECT(A1)$A$2:$B$1000,2,FALSE)

Where cell A1 contains:

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\[ABC.xlsm]Sheet1

I get the error: The formula you typed contains an error.

Am I missing something?

Answer 1

You need a syntax like this

=VLOOKUP(A2,INDIRECT("'"&A1&"'!$A$2:$B$1000"),2,FALSE)

....but note that INDIRECT won't work if the source workbook is closed