Does VLOOKUP work when file is closed?

I have a very simple VLOOKUP function in Excel 2025, and have set the "Use non volatile" flag on the sheet.

The basic VLOOKUP formula looks like this: =VLOOKUP(B1, 'Namefile.csv', 2, 0) It works fine while the file is open. The problem is that after I close the file, no results are shown. How can I make it so that I don't need to run a macro to find specific cells when the file is closed? When you use volatile look-up in a closed file, Excel will just go ahead and copy the entire data range into the volatile source table. At this point, you want it so that when that file is re-opened, you get some kind of indication that data was taken from that volatile source and it would be faster to redo all work than trying to access it by name in your lookup sheet. There's a way of doing this with a macro, but it's an ugly one.

Can Excel reference a closed workbook?

I'm working with Excel 2025.

I'm trying to figure out how to reference a closed workbook using the workbook code name. I'm using VBA, but I'm open to other methods if they exist.

Here is what I have tried so far: Dim wbName As String. WbName = "testworkbook.xls" The last line produces a run time error '438': Object doesn't support this property or method. I assume because the file is closed. The only thing I'm aware of that works is:

'Open the workbook. Dim wb As Workbook. Set wb = Workbooks(wbName). 'Close the workbook. Wb.Close SaveChanges:=False Can someone help me with the syntax for referencing the closed workbook? Using this: Set wb = Workbooks(wbName). That should work if the workbook is already open. If you are opening a new workbook, try this: Set wb = Application.Workbooks(Add(xlWBATWorksheet) Note: The xlWBATWorksheet specifies that the file will be opened as an XLA (Excel Macro) workbook. You have to open the workbook before you can close it. Here is a simple example. You will need to use the workbook code name as I can't get the workbook object to accept a string value as you are trying to do.

Sub Test(). Dim wbName As String. wbName = "workbook.xls" Set wb = Workbooks.Open(wbName)

Does Xlookup work on closed workbooks?

I have a spreadsheet that references data from many closed workbooks.

Is there any way I can access this data without having to reopen these workbooks? (The workbooks do not need to stay open, just referenced.) The cells are formula-based, and it is critical that these formulas update in real time to be accurate (without any manual updating).

Any suggestions? Thanks. Xlookup doesn't support non active workbook. As you know if a workbook is closed the formula reference is not available. So no.