CHOOSE() Function in Excel: A Beginner's Guide
Overview of the
CHOOSE() Function
The CHOOSE() function
in Excel is a versatile tool that allows you to select a value from a list
based on an index number. It can be particularly useful when you want to
retrieve values or perform calculations based on user input or other variables.
This function can handle multiple data types, including text, numbers, and
dates, making it a powerful addition to your Excel toolkit.
Syntax
The syntax of the
CHOOSE() function is as follows:
CHOOSE(index_num, value1, [value2], ...)
- index_num: A
number that specifies which value to return. It must be between 1 and 254.
- value1:
The first value (or reference) from which to choose.
- value2,
...: Additional values (or references) from which
to choose. You can provide up to 254 values.
How CHOOSE() Works
The CHOOSE() function
evaluates the index_num and returns the corresponding value from the list
provided. For example, if the index_num is 1, CHOOSE() returns the first value;
if it is 2, it returns the second value, and so on.
Example Scenario
Let’s consider a
practical example to illustrate how to use the CHOOSE() function. Suppose you
want to assign grades based on score ranges.
Sample Data
You want to create a
grading system based on the following score ranges:
- Score
90-100: Grade A
- Score
80-89: Grade B
- Score
70-79: Grade C
- Score
60-69: Grade D
- Score
Below 60: Grade F
Step-by-Step Example
1. Set Up Your Data
You can create a
table with score ranges and corresponding grades in Excel. For simplicity, you
can use the score directly in your formula.
2. Use the CHOOSE
Function
Suppose you have a
score in cell A1, and you want to determine the grade based on that score.
- Formula:
=CHOOSE(MATCH(A1, {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1), "F", "D", "C", "B", "A")
Explanation of the
Formula:
- MATCH(A1,
{0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1): This part finds the
position of the score in the defined array {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}. The 1
indicates an approximate match.
- CHOOSE(...):
Based on the position returned by the MATCH() function, CHOOSE() selects
the corresponding grade.
3. Result
If you enter a score
of 85 in cell A1, the formula will return "B".
Important Notes
1.
Index Range: Ensure that the index_num is within the range of available values. If
the index exceeds the number of values, Excel will return a #VALUE! error.
2.
Non-numeric Values: You can use text, references, or calculations as values. For example,
you can use cell references instead of hard-coded values.
3.
Nested CHOOSE: You can nest CHOOSE() functions to create more complex selections.
However, be cautious of readability and complexity.
Practical
Applications
1.
Dynamic Reports: Use CHOOSE() to create dynamic reports where users can select
different parameters.
2.
Dashboard Controls: Combine CHOOSE() with data validation to allow users to select from
dropdowns and display results accordingly.
3.
Scenario Analysis: Utilize CHOOSE() in scenario analysis to easily switch between
different outcomes or calculations.
Conclusion
The CHOOSE() function is a powerful tool in Excel that allows users to retrieve values from a list based on an index number.
Assignment 1: Grade
Assignment
Task: Use the CHOOSE() function to assign grades based on a given score.
Sample Data
|
Score |
|
95 |
|
82 |
|
74 |
|
59 |
Grading System:
- Score
90-100: Grade A
- Score
80-89: Grade B
- Score
70-79: Grade C
- Score
60-69: Grade D
- Score
Below 60: Grade F
Questions:
1.
What is the grade for a score of 95?
2.
What is the grade for a score of 82?
3.
What is the grade for a score of 74?
4.
What is the grade for a score of 59?
Solutions
1.
For Score 95:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(MATCH(95, {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1), "F", "D", "C", "B", "A")
o
Result: A
2.
For Score 82:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(MATCH(82, {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1), "F", "D", "C", "B", "A")
o
Result: B
3.
For Score 74:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(MATCH(74, {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1), "F", "D", "C", "B", "A")
o
Result: C
4.
For Score 59:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(MATCH(59, {0, 60, 70, 80, 90}, 1), "F", "D", "C", "B", "A")
o
Result: F
Assignment 2: Monthly
Expense Categories
Task: Use the CHOOSE() function to categorize monthly expenses based on a
selected month.
Sample Data
|
Month Number |
Expense Category |
|
1 |
Rent |
|
2 |
Groceries |
|
3 |
Utilities |
|
4 |
Transportation |
|
5 |
Entertainment |
|
6 |
Savings |
|
7 |
Health Insurance |
|
8 |
Education |
|
9 |
Miscellaneous |
|
10 |
Travel |
|
11 |
Clothing |
|
12 |
Gifts |
Questions:
1.
What is the expense category for month
4?
2.
What is the expense category for month
8?
3.
What is the expense category for month
11?
Solutions
1.
For Month 4:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(4, "Rent", "Groceries", "Utilities", "Transportation", "Entertainment", "Savings", "Health Insurance", "Education", "Miscellaneous", "Travel", "Clothing", "Gifts")
o
Result: Transportation
2.
For Month 8:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(8, "Rent", "Groceries", "Utilities", "Transportation", "Entertainment", "Savings", "Health Insurance", "Education", "Miscellaneous", "Travel", "Clothing", "Gifts")
o
Result: Education
3.
For Month 11:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(11, "Rent", "Groceries", "Utilities", "Transportation", "Entertainment", "Savings", "Health Insurance", "Education", "Miscellaneous", "Travel", "Clothing", "Gifts")
o
Result: Clothing
Assignment 3:
Employee Job Titles
Task: Use the CHOOSE() function to determine job titles based on employee
numbers.
Sample Data
|
Employee Number |
Job Title |
|
1 |
Manager |
|
2 |
Analyst |
|
3 |
Developer |
|
4 |
Designer |
|
5 |
Sales Representative |
Questions:
1.
What is the job title for employee
2?
2.
What is the job title for employee
4?
3.
What is the job title for employee
5?
Solutions
1.
For Employee 2:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(2, "Manager", "Analyst", "Developer", "Designer", "Sales Representative")
o
Result: Analyst
2.
For Employee 4:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(4, "Manager", "Analyst", "Developer", "Designer", "Sales Representative")
o
Result: Designer
3.
For Employee 5:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(5, "Manager", "Analyst", "Developer", "Designer", "Sales Representative")
o
Result: Sales Representative
Assignment 4: Color
Codes
Task: Use the CHOOSE() function to retrieve the color name based on a color
code.
Sample Data
|
Color Code |
Color Name |
|
1 |
Red |
|
2 |
Green |
|
3 |
Blue |
|
4 |
Yellow |
|
5 |
Purple |
Questions:
1.
What is the color name for color
code 3?
2.
What is the color name for color
code 5?
3.
What is the color name for color
code 1?
Solutions
1.
For Color Code 3:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(3, "Red", "Green", "Blue", "Yellow", "Purple")
o
Result: Blue
2.
For Color Code 5:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(5, "Red", "Green", "Blue", "Yellow", "Purple")
o
Result: Purple
3.
For Color Code 1:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(1, "Red", "Green", "Blue", "Yellow", "Purple")
o
Result: Red
Assignment 5: Meal
Selection
Task: Use the CHOOSE() function to select a meal based on the day of the
week.
Sample Data
|
Day Number |
Meal |
|
1 |
Breakfast |
|
2 |
Lunch |
|
3 |
Dinner |
|
4 |
Snack |
|
5 |
Dessert |
|
6 |
Brunch |
|
7 |
Supper |
Questions:
1.
What is the meal for day 2?
2.
What is the meal for day 5?
3.
What is the meal for day 6?
Solutions
1.
For Day 2:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(2, "Breakfast", "Lunch", "Dinner", "Snack", "Dessert", "Brunch", "Supper")
o
Result: Lunch
2.
For Day 5:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(5, "Breakfast", "Lunch", "Dinner", "Snack", "Dessert", "Brunch", "Supper")
o
Result: Dessert
3.
For Day 6:
o
Formula:
=CHOOSE(6, "Breakfast", "Lunch", "Dinner", "Snack", "Dessert", "Brunch", "Supper")
o
Result: Brunch
Conclusion
