my vlookup path changes when I open the file

[AliGoLightly]

I have a VLOOKUP in workbook 'Report' which looks for data in workbook 'Data'.

both workbooks are stored in a common network drive \\office\reports\

the VLOOKUP is written to look in the network drive:
=vlookup(a2,'\\office\reports\[data.xlsx]sheet1'!a:f,6,false)

Often, when one of my team leaves the file, the VLOOKUP changes to
=vlookup(a2,'g:\[data.xlsx]sheet1'!a:f,6,false)

How do I stop it changing from the Network path to the mapped drive?

 

[Shane Devenshire]

Hi,

I don't know about change the mapping instruction on a machine, you might
talk to your IT people.

If both of the files are open then you can use INDIRECT to take care of your
problem: (but indirect returns an error in Excel, if the target file is
closed)

=vlookup(a2,INDIRECT("'\\office\reports\[data.xlsx]sheet1'!a:f"),6,false)

might do it.