Lookup Updated November 2026

CHOOSE

CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...) returns the value in the position given by index_num: 1 returns value1, 2 returns value2, and so on. It is a quick way to turn a small number into a label or to switch between a few options without a lookup table.

Syntax

CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...)

Part	What it is
`index_num`	A number from 1 to 254, or a formula that produces one. Decimals are truncated.
`value1, value2...`	The options. Each can be a constant, a cell reference or a range.

Examples

=CHOOSE(2, "Jan", "Feb", "Mar")

Result: Feb

=CHOOSE(WEEKDAY(A2), "Sun", "Mon", "Tue", "Wed", "Thu", "Fri", "Sat")

Result: The weekday name of the date in A2

WEEKDAY returns 1 for Sunday by default, which lines up with the list.

=CHOOSE(ROUNDUP(MONTH(A2)/3, 0), "Q1", "Q2", "Q3", "Q4")

Result: Q4 when A2 is 15 November 2026

=CHOOSE($B$1, C2, D2, E2)

Result: The value from column C, D or E depending on the scenario number in B1

A small scenario switch for a model.

Common mistakes

#VALUE!: index_num is 0, negative or larger than the number of values given.
Long lists get unreadable: beyond about 7 options, put the values in a small table and use INDEX or XLOOKUP.
Decimals are cut, not rounded: CHOOSE(2.9, ...) returns the second value.

Practice it

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Questions

When should I use CHOOSE instead of IF or VLOOKUP?

When you already have a small whole number (1, 2, 3) and want to map it to a value. For text keys or long lists a lookup table is clearer.

Can CHOOSE return a range?

Yes. =SUM(CHOOSE(2, A2:A10, B2:B10, C2:C10)) sums B2:B10. This is used with VLOOKUP to simulate a left lookup in older Excel.

INDEXHow the Excel INDEX function returns the cell at a given row and column of a range, with examples for a single column, a grid and the pairing with MATCH.
IFSHow the Excel IFS function checks several conditions in order and returns the first match, with grade and shipping tier examples and the fix for #N/A.
IFHow the Excel IF function returns one value when a test is true and another when false, with pass or fail, blank cell, nested IF and IF with AND examples.
MATCHHow the Excel MATCH function returns the position of a value in a row or column, with exact and approximate match types, examples and the causes of #N/A.