CHOOSE Function in Excel

Intermediate

Returns a value from a list of values based on an index number.

Syntax

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

Example

Use Case

Select a specific month name based on a month number.

Common Errors to Avoid

  • #VALUE! error if index_num is less than 1 or greater than number of values
  • Index_num must be a number, not text
  • Limited to 254 value arguments maximum

Pro Tips

Great for converting numbers to text labels (e.g., 1='Jan', 2='Feb'). Use with MATCH for dynamic lookups. For longer lists, consider VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP instead. CHOOSE evaluates all values even if not selected.

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CHOOSE Function in Excel | Excel AI Tools