11/7/23, 11:16 AM How to use the Excel SWITCH function (In Easy Steps)

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Logical Functions
The SWITCH function in Excel looks up a specified value in a list
of values and returns the result corresponding to the first
Learn more,
match found.

Simple SWITCH it's

If easy

Let's start simple. The SWITCH function below looks up the Comparison
value in cell B3.
Operators

Or

Roll the Dice

Ifs

Contains Specific Text

Switch

If Cell is Blank

Absolute Value

Explanation: if the value is 1, the SWITCH function returns

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"Bad". If the value is 2, the SWITCH function returns "Good". If
the value is 3, the SWITCH function returns "Excellent". Excel File
switch.xlsx

The last argument (a dash in this example) is always the default

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value (if there's no match).
Cell References

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11/7/23, 11:16 AM How to use the Excel SWITCH function (In Easy Steps)

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300 Examples

Advanced SWITCH
Let's kick it up a notch! The SWITCH function below reduces the
price of green and blue tables by 50% (see orange arrows). All
other products are discounted by 10%.

Explanation: the formula shown above uses the & operator to

concatenate (join) the string in cell B3 and cell C3. If the value is
"TableGreen", the SWITCH function reduces the price by 50%. If
the value is "TableBlue", the SWITCH function also reduces the
price by 50%. The last argument (10% discount) is always the
default value (if there's no match).

Combine SWITCH with other Functions

Let's combine the SWITCH function with other Excel functions.
For example, the SWITCH function below looks up the result of
the RIGHT function.

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11/7/23, 11:16 AM How to use the Excel SWITCH function (In Easy Steps)

Explanation: the RIGHT function extracts the 2 rightmost

characters from the string in cell B3. If UT, the SWITCH function
returns "Utah". If TX, the SWITCH function returns "Texas". If
OH, the SWITCH function returns Ohio. The last argument (a
question mark in this example) is always the default value (if
there's no match).

SWITCH or IFS?
The IFS function below produces the exact same result.

Conclusion: the SWITCH function is shorter and easier to read.

However, the SWITCH can only perform an exact match. When

using comparison operators like "<" and ">=", use IFS instead
of SWITCH.

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11/7/23, 11:16 AM How to use the Excel SWITCH function (In Easy Steps)

Note: visit our page about the IFS function to learn more about
this powerful Excel function. IFS and SWITCH are only available
in Excel 2016 and later versions. If you don't have Excel 2016 or
later, you can nest the IF function.

8/10 Completed! Learn more about logical functions >

Go to Next Chapter: Cell References

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