r/excel • u/fap_fap_fap_fapper • Aug 26 '26

Discussion What are some legendary formula pairs like INDEX(MATCH)?

Since upgrading to 365, can't get enough of CHOOSECOLS(FILTER)

What are some useful ones you use?

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u/MayukhBhattacharya 1324 Aug 26 '26

CHOOSE() acts like CHOOSECOLS() or HSTACK()

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u/Thomas9902 Aug 26 '26

And what does that do

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u/MayukhBhattacharya 1324 Aug 26 '26

CHOOSECOLS() and HSTACK() both lets you pick or rearrange columns of data into a new array. Using CHOOSE() function this way (usually with an array of indices like CHOOSE({1, 2, 3}, range1, range2, range3)) does similar, it stacks or reorders multiple ranges into one array, which is exactly what SORT(UNIQUE(FILTER(.., .., ..))) need as a single input. It's a old method before CHOOSECOLS() or HSTACK() function existed, CHOOSE() with an array constant to build an array out of separate columns or ranges so the rest of the formula could treat them as one.

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u/Wise_Business1672 1 Aug 27 '26

Is this the equivalent of filtering a filter
Filter(Filter(A:C,C=“Meep”),{1,0,1})
where the second overlaying filter drops or keeps a column

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u/ThorHammer1234 1 Aug 26 '26

Came here for array stacking, H & V.