Function: CHOOSE()

🧭 Purpose:

The CHOOSE() function returns a value from a list based on a given position number called index_num.
Think of it as selecting an item from a menu by its number.

It’s useful for picking values dynamically, such as month names, GST rates, or transport costs.

🧮 Syntax:
=CHOOSE(index_num, value1, value2, value3, ...)

Where we can use

CHOOSE() is useful when you need:

1. Custom categories without nested IF.

2. Switch-like logic → better alternative to multiple IF statements.

3. Dynamic headings & labels in dashboards.

4. Convert numbers to text (1 = “Low”, 2 = “Medium”, 3 = “High”).

5. Create dynamic reports—switch months, switch sheets, switch tables.

6. Combine with MATCH() → powerful custom lookup.

It can return:

• Text
• Numbers
• Formulas
• Ranges
• Arrays
• Cell references

🧑‍🎓 Example 1: Month Name from Number

Examples: 

Example 1

Pick a day from a list based on a number.

Example 2 

Convert rating numbers into text labels.

Example 3 (Dashboard Headline Switcher)

User selects a number and the dashboard heading changes dynamically.

Output → Expense Report

Example 4 (Icon Output using CHOOSE)

Use Wingdings / Emoji Icons (Excel supports icons via conditional formatting or by manually inserting characters).

Can be used for:

• Rating charts

• Employee performance

• Quality indicators

3. Projects

Project 1 — Beginner: Movie Rating Label Generator

Goal

Convert numbers into rating labels and icons using CHOOSE()

Table

Student Task

• Complete formulas for all rows

• Add Conditional Formatting icons to match scores (optional)

Project 2 — Intermediate: Expense Type Categorizer

Goal

Use CHOOSE() to assign categories based on numeric codes.

Table

Categories:
1 = Grocery
2 = Transport
3 = Food
4 = Entertainment

Student Tasks

1. Fill missing formulas

2. Add a summary table using COUNTIF

3. Add icons for spending priority

   • Grocery = Blue Circle

   • Transport = Yellow Triangle

   • Food = Green Square

   • Entertainment = Red Diamond

Project 3 — Advanced: Multi-Month Dynamic Sales Switcher

Goal

Use CHOOSE() to dynamically switch between full monthly datasets.

Data Tables

January

February

March

User Input Cell

Output Area (Dynamic Table)

Use formulas:

Product List

=CHOOSE($B$1, A2:A4, D2:D4, G2:G4)

Sales Amount

=CHOOSE($B$1, B2:B4, E2:E4, H2:H4)

Student Tasks

1. Create a 3-month switcher using CHOOSE()

2. Build a dropdown (Jan–Mar) mapped to numbers 1–3

3. Create a dashboard showing totals, best product, worst product

4. Add icons:

   • Green Up Arrow for growth

   • Red Down Arrow for decline

5. Add a chart that updates automatically (optional but recommended)

Use CHOOSE With Other Functions