Say Goodbye to IF Statements in Excel with SWITCH
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- čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
- This tutorial will show how to use the SWITCH function in Microsoft Excel. We start by exploring the basics of the IF function, a staple in Excel's formula arsenal, to ensure a solid foundation. Then, we introduce the SWITCH function - a lesser-known yet incredibly potent tool in Excel. We'll compare these two functions side-by-side, illustrating how SWITCH can provide cleaner, more readable formulas, especially in scenarios with multiple conditions.
Key highlights of this video include:
A comprehensive overview of IF and SWITCH functions.
Practical examples demonstrating the advantages of SWITCH over nested IF statements.
Step-by-step guidance on how to implement the SWITCH function in real-world scenarios.
Tips for enhancing formula efficiency and readability in your Excel projects.
By the end of this tutorial, you'll be well-equipped to make the switch (pun intended!) from cumbersome IF statements to the elegant simplicity of the SWITCH function. Whether you're managing data, analyzing reports, or love to streamline your Excel workflows, this video is your gateway to next-level Excel proficiency.
See why XLOOKUP is Superior to SWITCH: • Why XLOOKUP Reigns Sup...
Practice File: go.teachers.tech/SWITCH_FUNCTION
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:20 Replacing a Nested IF statement with SWITCH
3:21 Using an Operation with the SWITCH function
5:30 Using an IF statement with a nested SWITCH function
I am the master of nested IF statements. You have ruined my life. Just kidding. This is great. I cannot wait to replace all of my nested IFs. Thank you.
you can use =IFS() as well so they don't have to be nested and it looks more like this switch statement
If statements are still needed in any situation where you test different data points. Cases where you have just one value to test are actually not as common as you'd think outside of simple demos.
I didn't know about this function. But after watching your video, I still prefer using tables with the xlookup-function to keep things as variable as possible.
How can you use XLOOKUP to insert values based on criteria in other cells? SWITCH has a different function it seems to me.
@@jmacdono You create a table with values that correspond to the translation. Consider the second example. You could create a separate table with a column for region and another column for the associated commission percentage. In the original table, you use xlookup to lookup the region and return the commission percentage. This approach is much easier to manage if the number of categories is large or likely to change.
@@jmacdono Microsoft's web site help is a great resource for all of Excel's functions. Heaven help you should buy one of the many books available.
Exactly what I tought while watching the video.
based on experience, i could say the same, using a table and xlookup is better as it is dynamic. works same way as a join in SQL, and it handles missing results much better.
True “IF” is not handy in this situation, but you can use”IFS” function, same results and neat as much as switch. Thanks for the explanation, another function is added to the line, helpful.
That's true, but the only problem with "IFS" is you must have a value which is true. So if any value doesn't match any in the "IFS" statement the statement will fail.
@@alexk7467You can insert as last condition a ever-true one, so a condition without any restriction, simply ……;TRUE”;”Value you desire”). So if all the previous conditions fail, this one will apply
For that, you can encapsulate the function with IFNA or IFERROR :)@@alexk7467
@@alexk7467 You can set the final test value to "TRUE()" then the result: =IFS(test1, result1, test2, result2, ..., TRUE(), result_n)
@@alexk7467the very last statement in the IFS could just be 1 then set the default value.
Example:
ifs(case1, “A”, case2, “B”, case3, “C”, 1,””). If all cases fail, the default will be “”.
I always did a vlookup function with a table to change a number to a rating. Also, I find that it is still pretty clean to use 2 digits concat in another table to change a double input into a single output. The formulas are clean that way too. Still, I'm glad to know the switch function exists.
At 1:30 I realised this is the DECODE function in SQL. Super handy and I no longer need to do those awful nested IFs. Thank you
Using excel for decades but today I learned about switch. Thanks ❤
Wow, this tutorial on using the SWITCH() function is incredibly helpful! I've always struggled with nested IF statements, but this alternative seems much more efficient and organized. Thanks for breaking it down step by step and providing clear examples. Can't wait to start implementing this in my own projects!
Thank you for this - I understand that this video is about the function switch. But for efficiency and future adjustments, I would put all the values into 1 or 2 tables and use the strengths of xlookup to return the desired results, instead of hardcoding it into a formula.
I would agree that.
@troelstrc Exactly.
In this example a simple table of corresponding data (Performance Score / Performance Rating) can be used for multiple purposes including the source for Data Validation List (i.e. the Performance Rating cell range as a drop-down menu) and in one's preferred Lookup formula.
Hard-coded data in formulae can be very restrictive, and make back-tracing errors and amendments very difficult. I avoid hard-coded data in formulae wherever possible.
I use SWITCH it in Power Bi. I normally use IFS to avoid nested if statement. Great one!
I use Switch in PowerShell all the time, but funnily it never occurred to me that it exists in Excel.
Really useful, thanks!
switch is also available in many other programming languages
Thank you for this video. While I am known as the Excel genius at my work, I wasn't aware of the Switch function. I am sure I'll be able to have a lot of fun with this function in the future
It's easier, quicker and more dynamic to use vlookup (or xookup) or index/match to a reference table. For "No Rated", you can wrap your function in an IFERROR.
@@rlsbdog I don't think they have the exact same purpose. The lookups and index/match functions are referring to a singular cell. In one of my Excel-tables, I have a sumifs function in which I would want it to select another column based on the value of another cell. In this case, I think the switch function fits better.
@@Pronellyllon switch function is inflexible and undynamic
@@danguee1 it worked pretty well for me. In a situation where I used the IFS-function and continuously referred to the same cell had a specific value then needed to pick up a specific column in a table, I used the SWITCH-function instead. Now I didn't need to refer to the same cell anymore. Everything else in that formula stayed the same
Avoid using a switch statement, try using if statement with a VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP already provides the values. Refrain from hard-coding in the formula, etc.
Why?
Because your values might change, and instead of changing a bunch of formulas, you change the lookup table once. For example, if Excellent changed to Outstanding, just update the reference table instead of all the formulas. You can also add IFNA at the beginning for a value that’s not found, a la “Not Rated”
@@JeffUmscheid I've got a lot yet to learn.
Dynamic ✅
You don't have to hard-coded the value. You can use name ranges for both the region values and commission values, to a certain degree of dynamic when using SWITCH().
This is an example with the commission values in named range. SWITCH(E1,"NORTH",C_NORTH,"SOUTH",C_SOUTH,"EAST",C_EAST,"WEST",C_WEST,C_DEFAULT)*D1
Thanks for this, I like the structure of the formula (more so than “IF” as simpler for those nested functions as you’ve also highlighted). As others have said I prefer reference tables and lookups for most instances but I will definitely use the “SWITCH” formula as have many use cases like dynamic formulas to work out year to date values.
Great to learn something new 👍🏾
Recently retired, worked with Excel for years and didn't know about switch. Looks very handy, can think of many times I would have chosen that instead of the clumsy "if" statements. Thanks.
I’m glad you found it useful!
SWITCH is a new function not find in older version of excell
@@tomjones1502 This function only in 365 right?
No, SWITCH function was added in year 2016, in excel 365
Switch function is in Excel 2019 and 365 (not sure but 2021)
I have not heard of the switch function...THAT was excellent! Thank you!
Actually, it is the equivalent of Select case in VBA. Thanks a lot, I did not know this function existed in Excel. It would have saved me a lot of time if I had known it sooner.
I had never heard of this function and will definetly use it from now on. I regularly miss brackets or put them in the wrong spot doing long clustered IF functions. And can see the ease of modifying a statement if you need to add more options later on. Tx for sharing!
Hey! this is simpler than nested if function. THANK YOU!
You explain things very well and it's easy for me to learn from your videos despite my adhd. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Happy days! This is the honorable descendant of the CASE statement in good old FoxPro. Well done MS!
This is an extremely helpful tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing it. You did a great job of laying out and explaining the material. Thank you, again!
Very helpful teacher. This is the 1st time I know about this function
Thank You. This will make my sheets so less complicated now.
Thank you CZcams algo! I actually can use this Monday at work... completely useful and relevant. Very nice examples!
Great to hear! Thanks!
Wow what a time saver! Truly good by nested IFs lol thanks for sharing!!
With the nested if like this, using a reference lookup table is ideal.
When I use if statement, I mostly use it as argument so the formula will do a different calc
Excellent. I already have a couple of work cases that can benefit from this SWITCH function!
This was amazingly useful! I have so many nested ifs in a budget spreadsheet, and it makes it so hard anytime I need to change things. Usong switch instead is going to make it so much easier! Thanks so much!
You're so welcome!
SWITCH is nice, but I'm more a fan of IFS. Nice video ❤🙏🏽
Never heard of the Switch function. Thank you Jaime!!! :)
You're welcome!
It may be useful for one-off small tables, but for anything larger or repeatable, I'd use the IFERROR and VLOOKUP functions and a separate tab with the reference data (using named ranges for the data areas). Doing that, I'd be able to add to the list of selection items very easily and the data in the entire table change without writing a really long cell formula nor having to update the cell formula once I needed to update my choice criteria.
Excellent, I shall using it. Thanks!
This is AWESOME!!!! Was able to simplify so so soooooo many IF statements in a spreadsheet I am working on.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for all of your help through the years!
You're very welcome!
I love switch(). I told my analyst to try it a year ago and he cleaned up some complex sheets with it.
That's awesome!
Love the new SWITCH function!
Well explained! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely excellent info. I want to try it on some spreadsheets that have some complex nested if statements
Hi ! Nice video. Very informative about Switch function. Honestly speaking I didn't knew about this until now. Thanks for sharing knowledge.
I read many comments below about usability of this function and suggestions about instead use xlookup, index match and other various function. They may be right in their opinion as xlookup, index are very powerfull. BUT, this tutorial is about Switch function and not about finding alternatives to if function or switch function. See, when these powerfull functions were not available we used to use if function very largely. But now with advancements in MS Excel we get so many new functions with mind blowing capability. It may so happen that one day there would be better function available then xlookup! Who knows. So I would stick to commenting on Switch function and its usability, quality of the video, quality of content of video like language and graphics used, explanation done, example shown and discussed rather then speaking of alternative to switch function.
Overall very interesting and informative video.
Thank you so much. I loved it.
Great examples! I had never heard of switch.
Thank you very much. I didn't know about this formula but will definitely use it in the future.
Glad it was helpful!
thank you for sharing the knowledge
Great thank you lot Mrs Teacher's Tech
I have not seen this function. Brilliant! TY
Never used switch. Liked and subscribed. Good input.
Thanks for the demo. I can see some scenarios where this could help.
Em português essa função é chamada de PARÂMETRO. Excelente!
I use CHOOSE for similar situations, but this is useful too.
I have been using Excel since 1995 and am always excited to learn new things.
For those saying rather use a lookup table - perhaps the example was a bad one.
There are many times when we DO use If statements and I can see the value of using SWITCH instead - it is much neater and clearer for editing later.
My only constructive feedback is that the title of this video is misleading. The 3rd example shows how IF statements still have value. 🙂
Knew of switch functions generally... Had no idea it was in Excel. How handy.
Awesome Tutorial, so much easier.
Very interesting and well-presented. Thanks!
Like most reactions i would probably use xlookup and a table. I do see an advantage when you are using numbers and letters when searching. I will test the speed of switch vs xlookup on a large number of records. Thanks for the video!
Brilliant - Thanks for sharing. Really appreciate your work. Kind Regards
I create so many complicated spreads with very long IF statements, the switch function is going to cut my work in half. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent formula to save time
This helped alot thank you!!!
So very helpful! Excellent presentation regarding a function I never heard of...
Glad it was helpful!
That's very handy. I've neither used nor heard of this function, but I will likely make good use of it this week. There are a few fringe cases where I suspect it's no better (e.g., to simulate the output of a decision tree by examining TRUE/FALSE statements in multiple cells, which I think would require as many nested SWITCH functions as nested IF functions to achieve), and as others have said, larger lists are best queried using lookup functions, but this will tidy up smaller lists in my future spreadsheet work significantly.
Note for all german users: apperantly, in the german Version of Excel, this function is intuitively called "ERSTERWERT"
Very useful! Thanks!
Excelent and very useful! Thanks
ahhh saved so much time ! amazing!
Great function! Thanks a lot, I didn't know about this
It's good for Example 2 and 3 where the values are Text, but for Example 1 I would use CHOOSE, nested within an IFERROR statement to get the Not Rated result.
Thank you!
I've got dozens and dozens of spreadsheets with massively nested IF statements (up to about 12-times). Why didn't I know about this? Thanks again.
thank you sir ‼️👍
Pretty cool. I didn't know about this one.
I've used "switch" coding in C for 40 years, but I didn't know Excel had that function. I don't know the maximum number of close brackets I've ever had in a nested IF formula, but at some point I usually opted to just switch to a custom VB function. This definitely simplifies things when comparing simple values. I'll have to dig a little deeper to see if it can be used to return a value using calculations/formulas as criteria.
Perfect, thank you
I just heard about it now. Thanks🌹
I love the SWITCH function!!! =)
Looks a lot like the "Case" function in Filemaker Pro...I always wished I had that available in Excel, thanks so much!
Nice function. I can use this. Will save a lot of hassles.
Nice- I didn't know... Thanks
A streamlined version of IFS function, nice.
Very neat explanation sir💐🙏
great, did not know about it, thanks for sharing!
It's excellent! thank you. From Dhaka, Bangladesh, Md. Mosleh Uddin
Never heard of it before tbh. Looks useful.
Love it.
Didn't know about the switch, thank you, but would also not use it in these instances as it just causes more maintenance work later on. Some reference table / lookup will make it much easier to maintain if situations change.
This is excellent
Thank you 😊
Extremely well explained and perfect real life examples
Good job
👍excellent. Very useful. Thanks
It's good, thanks.
Interesting and useful
Thanks!
Sir this is great
I didn't know about this function. It is definitely far superior than if but seems marginally simpler than IFS which I love..
Thanks 👍🏻
Never heard of this. Thanks for letting us know. (And for your other tips on other posts).
So glad you found useful! Your welcome.
Very useful...
Much clearer than using multiple in-line ifs. I hope the next MS step is to get away from inline functions to make it more readable and easier to debug.
This is great
Thanks