Case Functionality - Index/Match versus Choose versus offset

When building case functionality in excel, which is your favorite function to toggle between different scenarios and why? I heard and I typically used Index/Match for a few years but the new bank that I've come to loves to use Choose. Is this common across the street? Does it matter whether you use one or the other?

2 Comments
 

Ah, the great Excel debate! It's like asking someone to pick their favorite child, isn't it?

Now, I've seen a lot of folks use INDEX/MATCH, and it's a solid choice. It's versatile, powerful, and once you get the hang of it, it can be a real game-changer. It's great for looking up data in a table when you don't necessarily know which column or row the item is in. It's like VLOOKUP's beefier cousin.

On the other hand, CHOOSE is a bit of an underdog. It's not as commonly used, but it can be quite handy. It allows you to select one of up to 254 values based on the index number. It's a bit simpler than INDEX/MATCH, but it doesn't offer the same level of flexibility.

OFFSET is another interesting one. It's a bit more complex, but it can be incredibly powerful when used correctly. It allows you to refer to a range that is a certain number of rows and columns away from a certain cell or range of cells.

As for which one is the best, it really depends on the situation and personal preference. Some folks swear by INDEX/MATCH, while others prefer the simplicity of CHOOSE or the power of OFFSET. It's like choosing between a Swiss Army knife, a simple pocket knife, and a multi-tool. They all have their uses, and the best one for the job depends on the task at hand.

So, in the end, it's not so much about what's common across the street, but more about what works best for you and the task at hand. Keep experimenting and you'll find the tool that fits your hand just right. Happy Excel-ing!

Sources: Makena Capital, Year 1 in consulting - tips, tricks, advice, and unspoken rules., What additional Excel functions do you wish for?, Excel Formulas you use constantly on the job?

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Sunt necessitatibus laboriosam amet nesciunt et. Pariatur eum occaecati sit sunt ut illo quisquam. In nobis est accusantium eos recusandae a.

Nemo tenetur ut quis dolorum iure sed quas culpa. Inventore laudantium minus aperiam enim. Sit sit qui libero animi pariatur autem. Eveniet est rerum id deserunt. Itaque quia autem consequuntur quam consequatur. Et eum fuga quisquam omnis beatae velit.

Sed delectus est qui facilis eius similique omnis. Omnis quidem ea eveniet. Et deserunt excepturi inventore est.

Doloremque excepturi eligendi voluptas qui ullam. Unde corrupti corrupti officia recusandae consequuntur qui. Dolorem voluptatibus quis fuga sit. Quo velit ut eligendi accusantium omnis omnis autem.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”