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=CHOOSE()
Uses index_num to return a value from the list of value arguments. Use CHOOSE to select one of up to 254 values based on the index number. For example, if value1 through value7 are the days of the week, CHOOSE returns one of the days when a number between 1 and 7 is used as index_num.
Applies To:
Excel for Microsoft 365Excel for Microsoft 365 for MacExcel 2024Excel 2024 for MacExcel 2021Excel 2021 for MacExcel 2019Excel 2016
=CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...)
Hover argument names in the table for details.
Output typeMixed
Popularity60 / 100
VolatileNo
Dynamic ArrayNo
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◧ Arguments
| Argument | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
index_num |
Number | Required | Specifies which value argument is selected. Index_num must be a number between 1 and 254, or a formula or reference to a cell containing a number between 1 and 254. If index_num is 1, CHOOSE returns value1; if it is 2, CHOOSE returns value2; and so on. If index_num is less than 1 or greater than the number of the last value in the list, CHOOSE returns the #VALUE! error value. If index_num is a fraction, it is truncated to the lowest integer before being used. |
value1 |
Any type | Required | , value2, ... Value 1 is required, subsequent values are optional. 1 to 254 value arguments from which CHOOSE selects a value or an action to perform based on index_num. The arguments can be numbers, cell references, defined names, formulas, functions, or text. |
▣ Examples
▦ Data
| Cell | Value |
|---|---|
A2 |
1st |
B2 |
Nails |
A3 |
2nd |
B3 |
Screws |
A4 |
3rd |
B4 |
Nuts |
A5 |
Finished |
B5 |
Bolts |
A6 |
23 |
A7 |
45 |
A8 |
12 |
A9 |
10 |
A10 |
1st |
B10 |
Nails |
A11 |
2nd |
B11 |
Screws |
A12 |
3rd |
B12 |
Nuts |
A13 |
Finished |
B13 |
Bolts |
A14 |
23 |
A15 |
45 |
A16 |
12 |
A17 |
10 |
Value of the second list argument (value of cell A3)
=CHOOSE(2,A2,A3,A4,A5)
Result:
2nd
Value of the fourth list argument (value of cell B5)
=CHOOSE(4,B2,B3,B4,B5)
Result:
Bolts
Value of the third list argument
=CHOOSE(3,"Wide",115,"world",8)
Result:
world
Sums the range A2:A4. The CHOOSE function returns A4 as the second part of the range for the SUM function.
=SUM(A2:CHOOSE(2,A3,A4,A5))
Result:
80
§ Remarks
- If index_num is an array, every value is evaluated when CHOOSE is evaluated.
- The value arguments to CHOOSE can be range references as well as single values. For example, the formula:
- =SUM(CHOOSE(2,A1:A10,B1:B10,C1:C10))
- evaluates to:
- =SUM(B1:B10)
- which then returns a value based on the values in the range B1:B10.
- The CHOOSE function is evaluated first, returning the reference B1:B10. The SUM function is then evaluated using B1:B10, the result of the CHOOSE function, as its argument.
✦ Tips
- If index_num is an array, every value is evaluated when CHOOSE is evaluated.
- The value arguments to CHOOSE can be range references as well as single values. For example, the formula:
- =SUM(CHOOSE(2,A1:A10,B1:B10,C1:C10))
- evaluates to:
⚠ Common Errors
#VALUE!
If index_num is less than 1 or greater than the number of the last value in the list, CHOOSE returns the #VALUE! error value.
Fix: Check the first argument
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