How to Use CHOOSE Function in Google Sheets

In this article, you will learn how to utilize the CHOOSE formula in Google Sheets. The CHOOSE function is suitable when you conduct a scenario analysis in which you need to change a value in a cell depending on the scenario you select.

‍

How to use the CHOOSE formula in Google Sheets

1. Type “=CHOOSE(” or navigate to the “Insert” tab (or “Functions” icon) → “Function” → “Lookup” → “CHOOSE”.
2. Enter “start_date” and “months” by manual input or cell reference.
3. Press the “Enter” key.

‍

The general syntax is as follows:

=CHOOSE(index, choice1, [choice2, …])

Index: The value for this parameter should be a number from one up to twenty-nine (inclusive).

Choice1: This is the output value corresponding to the “index” of “1”.
Choice2: This is the value shown when the “index” is “2”.

Note: you need to input as many choices as the number of scenarios you have. For example, if you have three scenarios and the “index” can be one of the integers from one to three, you need to enter choices - “choice1”, “choice2”, and “choice3” in the formula.

‍

The CHOOSE formula is effective when you conduct scenario analysis and want to keep the entire structure and the existing numbers unchanged because the function allows you to replace a value with another value depending on the case you choose. You can leverage what you build for a scenario for other scenarios by using the CHOOSE formula; You don’t need to replicate unchanged parts to analyze the other cases.

‍

Assume you are a finance manager and want to check how much your company’s profit changes if the cost varies. You assume three scenarios: (i) the cost is $500mm, (ii) it is $750mm, and (iii) it is $1,000mm. What you are recommended to do is as follows:

1. Prepare a cell for scenario input (cell C9 in the picture).
2. Create a simple table and input “Revenue” and “Profit” and their numbers - let’s assume revenue is $1,000mm and fixed. Profit should be the result of “Revenue” less “Cost” (=C12-C13)
3. Enter three cost numbers in the row in which the “Cost” is shown, Row 13, and give them headers such as “Scenario 1” as shown in the screenshot.
4. Finally, enter the CHOOSE formula in cell C13, and refer to cell C9 as the “index” and cells E13, F13, and G13 from left to right for “Choices 1-3”.
5. If you want to switch the case, change the number in cell C9 within the range of 1 to 3. You can see different “Profit”.

‍

We highly recommend that you use cell references for the CHOOSE formula because it

1. allows you to quickly check which scenario is chosen without opening the formula;
2. gives you visibility on scenario numbers - the “Cost” in this case; and 
3. lets you change by typing different figures in cell E13, F13, or G13, without revising the formula itself.

‍

Analyze your live financial data in a snap

Are you learning this formula to visualize financial data, build a financial model, or conduct financial analysis? In that case, LiveFlow may help you automate manual workflows and update numbers in real-time. You can access various financial templates on our website, from the simple Income Statement to Multi-Currency Consolidated Financial Statement. You can also customize these templates as you want without breaking the automated data inflow.

To learn more about LiveFlow, book a demo.

‍

What are the other useful functions in Google Sheets?

If you don’t get the solution to your question in this article or you are interested in learning the other useful functions in Google Sheets, you may find the answers in the following articles.

‍

Read the following article to make some cases for your analysis.

How to Use SWITCH Function in Google Sheets

‍

Move on to these articles if you are interested in them.

How to Use RANK Function in Google Sheets - Organize your dataset by ranking items

ARRAYFORMULA Function in Google Sheets: Explained - Use arrays in non-array formulas

SEQUENCE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - Create a grid of sequential numbers

VALUE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - Convert a number, date, and time string to a number

‍

Go to the articles below to learn how to generate random numbers in Google Sheets.

RAND Function in Google Sheets: Explained

RANDBETWEEN Function in Google Sheets: Explained

RANDARRAY Function in Google Sheets: Explained

‍

Navigate to the following posts to learn how to make a hyperlink and import data from another Google Sheets file or a web page.

HYPERLINK Function in Google Sheets: Explained

How to Use IMPORTRANGE Function in Google Sheets

IMPORTDATA Function in Google Sheets: Explained

IMPORTHTML Function in Google Sheets: Explained

‍

Check the articles below if you want to use translation-related functions in Google Sheets.

GOOGLETRANSLATE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - Translate one language to another.

DETECTLANGUAGE Function in Google Sheets: Explained - Identify the language used in a specified cell.