---
title: "SWITCH function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use SWITCH in Excel 365 and Google Sheets: map codes to names without nesting IFs."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)

# **The SWITCH function**

Compares one value against a list and returns the result for the first match, with an optional default at the end.

=

SWITCH(

## **Syntax**

```
SWITCH(expression, value1, result1, [value2, result2], ..., [default])
```

<dl><dt>**expression **</dt>
<dd>The value to compare.</dd>
<dt>**value1, result1 **</dt>
<dd>A value to match and the result to return for it.</dd>
<dt>**default **(optional)</dt>
<dd>What to return when nothing matches. Without it SWITCH returns #N/A.</dd></dl>

## **Examples**

C1`=SWITCH(<sup>1</sup>A2,<sup>2</sup>"DK",<sup>3</sup>"Denmark",<sup>4</sup>"SE",<sup>5</sup>"Sweden",<sup>6</sup>"Other")`

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **Denmark** |
| 2 | DK |  | |

**In plain words:** Look at <sup>1</sup>the code in A2: <sup>2</sup>if it is DK, <sup>3</sup>show Denmark; <sup>4</sup>if it is SE, <sup>5</sup>show Sweden; <sup>6</sup>otherwise show Other.

C1=SWITCH(A2,"NO","Norway","Other")

|  | A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Code |  | **Other** |
| 2 | DK |  | |

## **Read the guide**

- [**Excel IF formulas: from one condition to many**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/learn/excel-if-function)

## **Related functions**

- [**IFS**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/ifs)
- [**IF**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/if)
- [**CHOOSE**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/choose)

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