How to use SWITCH function in Excel?

The `SWITCH` function in Excel allows you to evaluate an expression against a list of values and return a result corresponding to the first matching value. It is particularly useful when you have multiple conditions to check against a single expression or value. The syntax of the `SWITCH` function is as follows:

SWITCH(expression, value1, result1, [value2, result2], ..., [default])
  • `expression`: This is the expression or value that you want to compare to the list of values.
  • `value1, value2, …`: These are the values that the `expression` is compared against.
  • `result1, result2, …`: These are the results returned if the corresponding value matches the `expression`.
  • `default` (optional): This is the result returned if none of the values match the `expression`. If you do not provide a `default` value and there is no match, `SWITCH` will return a `#N/A` error.

Example:

Assume you have a numerical grade in cell A1 and want to convert it to a letter grade. You can use the `SWITCH` function to do this:

=SWITCH(A1, 
        10, "A", 
        9, "B", 
        8, "C", 
        7, "D", 
        6, "E", 
        "F")

In this example:

  • If `A1` is 10, it returns “A”.
  • If `A1` is 9, it returns “B”.
  • If `A1` is 8, it returns “C”.
  • If `A1` is 7, it returns “D”.
  • If `A1` is 6, it returns “E”.
  • For any other value, it returns “F”.

Key Points:

  • The `SWITCH` function can simplify formulas that would otherwise require long `IF` statements.
  • Make sure that each `value-result` pair is properly aligned.
  • If no default is specified, a non-matching value will result in an error.
  • The `SWITCH` function is available in Excel 2016 and later versions, including Excel for Microsoft 365.

This function is best utilized when you have a fixed set of conditions to evaluate and is more readable than nested `IF` statements in such cases.

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