Not sure if this can be done, but you never know.

I have a spreadsheet which imports data from various other
spreadsheets, using simple formuals like:

=C:\folder\[spreadsheet.xls]Book1!$Y$12

However, from time-to-time, I need to change the names of the files,
and add in new files.

So I tried to a formula with something like:

="C:\folder\["&A5&"spreadsheet.xls]Book1!$Y$12"

With A5 containing the change in file name (my spreadsheets would be
something like applespreadsheet.xls, orangespreadsheet.xls etc.)

This of course does not work.

Does anyone know of a way I could insert a variable as part of the file
name?

Many thanks for your help.