Lookup
CHOOSE
Definition
CHOOSE returns the value in a list whose position equals an index number.
Syntax
=CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...)
Arguments
| Argument | Meaning |
|---|---|
index_num |
Which item to return, counting 1 as the first value. Often a cell such as A2. |
value1 |
The first choice. Text must sit in double quotes. |
value2, ... |
Optional extra choices in order. |
Worked example
A kiln sheet maps a heat setting to a label. Settings are in A2:A4.
| A: Setting |
|---|
| 3 |
| 1 |
| 2 |
Formula: =CHOOSE(A2,"low","mid","high")
Result: high. 3 selects the third value. Filled down, the formula gives high, low, and mid.
Practice
Cell A2 holds 2. In B2, write a formula that returns "red" when A2 is 1, "blue" when A2 is 2, and "green" when A2 is 3.
- In B2, write a CHOOSE formula that shows red when A2 is 1, blue when A2 is 2, and green when A2 is 3.
- B2 should show the result for 2.
Step 1 of 2
Enter =CHOOSE(A2,"red","blue","green") in B2.
A2 is 2, so the result is blue.
Formulas here use English function names, such as SUM, and a period as the decimal separator, in every language.
Loading the sheet…
B2 uses CHOOSE.
B2 now shows blue.
Related functions
INDEX reads a position from a range on the sheet. FILTER keeps matching rows rather than picking by index.
Common mistake
Using 0 as the index: CHOOSE starts at 1, so CHOOSE(0,"low","mid","high") returns #VALUE!.