When working with Excel, selecting specific values from a list based on an index number can be a crucial task. This is where the CHOOSE function comes into play. It allows users to pick a value from a predefined list based on an index number. Understanding how CHOOSE works can help streamline many Excel workflows, from simple data retrieval to more advanced report creation.
Understanding the CHOOSE Function
The CHOOSE function follows this syntax:
=CHOOSE(index_num, value1, value2, ...)Where:
- index_num – The position (number) of the value you want to return.
- value1, value2, … – The list of values from which Excel selects the result.
The function returns the corresponding value from the list based on the given index_num. If the index is out of range (i.e., less than 1 or greater than the number of values provided), #VALUE! is returned.
Basic Examples of CHOOSE
To see the CHOOSE function in action, consider these simple examples:
Example 1: Selecting a Month
Let’s say I want to return the name of a month based on a given number:
=CHOOSE(3, "January", "February", "March", "April")This formula will return “March” because it is the third item in the list.
Example 2: Days of the Week
If I want to assign days of the week based on ordinal numbers:
=CHOOSE(5, "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday", "Sunday")Since the index number is 5, the result will be “Friday”.
Advanced Uses of CHOOSE
Excel power users often combine CHOOSE with other functions to create dynamic formulas.
Example 3: Randomized CHOOSE
By using RANDBETWEEN with CHOOSE, I can randomly select an item from a predefined set:
=CHOOSE(RANDBETWEEN(1,4), "Red", "Blue", "Green", "Yellow")This formula randomly picks one of the four given colors each time the sheet recalculates.
Example 4: Using CHOOSE with VLOOKUP
One interesting trick is using CHOOSE to manipulate data selection in formulas like VLOOKUP. Let’s assume I have data structured like this:
| ID | Name | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | John | 5000 |
| 102 | Mary | 6000 |
To switch the columns dynamically and use VLOOKUP in an unconventional way:
=VLOOKUP(102, CHOOSE({1,2}, B2:B3, A2:A3), 2, FALSE)In this formula, the CHOOSE function reorganizes the columns, making it possible to look up values where typical VLOOKUP would not work.
CHOOSE vs. INDEX: Which One to Use?
Both CHOOSE and INDEX help retrieve specific elements from a dataset, but they work differently:
CHOOSE: Useful for selecting from a predefined list.INDEX: Ideal when working with structured data tables.
For example, while CHOOSE requires each value to be separately defined, INDEX can pull directly from a range:
=INDEX(A2:A5, 3)This formula returns the third element from the range A2:A5.
When Not to Use CHOOSE
Despite its flexibility, CHOOSE isn’t always the best approach. Here are some scenarios where it might not be ideal:
- When working with large dynamic datasets – Functions like
INDEXorOFFSETperform better. - When retrieving data from multiple columns –
CHOOSErequires manually entering each element. - When performing heavy calculations – Large
CHOOSEformulas can become inefficient.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how CHOOSE works in Excel can simplify decision-making, return specific items dynamically, and even enhance other functions like VLOOKUP. While it has some limitations, in the right scenarios, it can be a powerful formula to master.
Other interesting article:
How OFFSET works in Excel? Best OFFSET examples