SWITCH

The SWITCH function in Google Sheets tests an expression against a list of cases and returns the corresponding value of the first matching case, with an optional default value if nothing else is met. It is a powerful tool to perform conditional operations on your data. Learn how to effectively use the SWITCH function with this comprehensive guide.

Function Syntax and Parameters

Syntax: SWITCH(expression, case1, value1, [default or case2, value2], ...)

Parameters:

• expression: The value or cell reference that will be tested against the cases.
• case1, case2, ...: The values that will be compared against the expression.
• value1, value2, ...: The corresponding values to return if the expression matches the respective case.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Using SWITCH with multiple cases:

   • Example: =SWITCH(A1, "apple", 1, "orange", 2, "banana", 3)
   • Result: Returns 1 if A1 equals "apple", 2 if A1 equals "orange", 3 if A1 equals "banana". If none of the cases match, it returns an error.

2. Using SWITCH with a default value:

   • Example: =SWITCH(A1, "apple", 1, "orange", 2, "banana", 3, "other")
   • Result: Returns 1 if A1 equals "apple", 2 if A1 equals "orange", 3 if A1 equals "banana", and "other" if none of the cases match.

Use Cases and Scenarios

1. Grade Conversion: Convert numeric scores to letter grades.
2. Product Categorization: Assign categories based on product attributes.
3. Customer Segmentation: Assign customers to specific segments based on their demographics.

Related Functions

• IF: Perform conditional checks.
• CHOOSE: Returns a value from a list based on its index.

Related Articles

• How to Use Conditional Functions in Google Sheets
• Google Sheets Tips: Master the Art of Conditional Formatting