How do I specify a variable Excel range

Question

Excel should allow me to dynamically define a range based on row/column variables. Say I have a file with information in it that is similar to this:

  A   B   C   D   E
1  10  11  12  13  14
2  51  52  53  54  55

How would I specify that I wanted to add the items in row 1, columns 2-4 (i.e., 11 + 12 + 13)?

Using a manual keyboard, I would type:

=SUM(B1:D1)

But given that I only know the desired row (1) and column (2-4) numbers, how can I programmatically build that range description instantly?

=SUM(????)

Answer 1

Try this:

=SUM(OFFSET(A1,0,1,1,3))

To break it down:

OFFSET(reference cell,
       row offset from ref cell to start the range,
       col offset to start the range, height of range you want,
       width of range you want)

you can make the offsets zero if you want, or + to ref down, - to ref up.