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CHOOSE Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Lookup & Reference Beginner LibreOffice Calc LibreOffice 3.0

The CHOOSE function returns a value from a list based on a given index number. It is useful for conditional selection, dynamic outputs, and building compact lookup logic.

The **CHOOSE** function returns a value from a list based on a numeric index. It is a simple but powerful tool for dynamic selection, conditional logic, and compact lookup formulas.

What the CHOOSE Function Does

  • Selects a value from a list based on an index
  • Works with numbers, text, ranges, and expressions
  • Useful for dynamic outputs and compact logic
  • Often used with MATCH, WEEKDAY, or other index‑producing functions

Syntax

CHOOSE(index; value1; value2; value3; ...)

Arguments

  • index:
    A number indicating which value to return (1 = first value).

  • value1, value2, …:
    The list of values to choose from.

Basic Examples

Simple selection

=CHOOSE(2; "Red"; "Green"; "Blue")
→ "Green"

Using a cell reference

=CHOOSE(A1; "Low"; "Medium"; "High")

With numbers

=CHOOSE(3; 10; 20; 30)
→ 30

Advanced Examples

Combine with WEEKDAY

=CHOOSE(WEEKDAY(A1); "Sun"; "Mon"; "Tue"; "Wed"; "Thu"; "Fri"; "Sat")

Combine with MATCH for dynamic lookup

=CHOOSE(MATCH(A1; {"A";"B";"C"}; 0); 100; 200; 300)

Use ranges as return values

=SUM(CHOOSE(2; A1:A5; B1:B5; C1:C5))

Use expressions inside CHOOSE

=CHOOSE(A1; A2*2; A2*3; A2*4)

Create a compact SWITCH‑like structure

=CHOOSE(A1; "North"; "South"; "East"; "West")

Dynamic formatting selection

=TEXT(A1; CHOOSE(B1; "0.00"; "#,##0"; "0%"))

Edge Cases and Behavior Details

CHOOSE is 1‑based, not 0‑based

  • Index = 1 → first value
  • Index = 2 → second value
  • Index = 0 → Err:502
  • Index > number of values → Err:502

Accepts:

  • Numbers
  • Text
  • Ranges
  • Expressions

Behavior details

  • Index is truncated if decimal (e.g., 2.9 → 2)
  • If index is text → Err:502
  • If index is an error → error propagates

Common Errors and Fixes

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Cause:

  • Index < 1
  • Index > number of values
  • Index is non-numeric

Fix:

  • Validate index
  • Wrap with INT() if needed
  • Use MATCH for controlled index generation

Unexpected result

Cause:

  • Decimal index being truncated

Fix:

  • Use ROUND or INT explicitly

Best Practices

  • Use CHOOSE for small, fixed lists
  • Use INDEX for large or dynamic lists
  • Combine with MATCH for flexible lookups
  • Use CHOOSE for compact conditional logic
  • Use CHOOSECOLS / CHOOSEROWS for array‑based selection
CHOOSE is perfect for compact, readable logic — especially when paired with MATCH or WEEKDAY to generate dynamic indexes.
  • CHOOSECOLS / CHOOSEROWS — array‑based selection
  • INDEX + MATCH — scalable lookup pattern
  • SWITCH (in other spreadsheet apps) — multi‑branch logic
  • IF / IFS — conditional branching

By mastering CHOOSE, you can build clean, compact, and dynamic lookup logic in LibreOffice Calc.

Reproducible example (tested in LibreOffice Calc)

This standalone example was calculated in LibreOffice Calc 25.2.3.2 and matched the expected value. It is a practical cross-check of one usage, not proof that every example elsewhere on this page is correct.

=CHOOSE(2;"Low";"Medium";"High")

Expected result: Medium.

Choose the second value from a supplied list.

If the result differs, check the referenced cells, argument separators and number formatting. For more information, consult the LibreOffice Calc official help.