Excel CHOOSECOLS function
Returns only the columns you pick from a range, in the order you give. In Spanish Excel it is called ELEGIRCOLS.
Syntax
English Excel
=CHOOSECOLS(array, col_num1, [col_num2], …)
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=ELEGIRCOLS(matriz, núm_col1, [núm_col2], …)
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=ELEGIRCOLS(matriz; núm_col1; [núm_col2]; …)
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| array | The source range. |
| col_num1 | The first column to keep; negative counts from the right. |
| col_num2optional | More columns, in any order. |
Example
CHOOSECOLS(range, col1, col2…) keeps only the columns you ask for, in any order. HSTACK places ranges side by side.
=CHOOSECOLS(A2:D6,1,4)
Common mistake
Excel 365 only. Combined with FILTER it shows only the columns that matter in the result.
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Practice CHOOSECOLS
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
CHOOSECOLS and HSTACK
CHOOSECOLS(range, col1, col2…) keeps only the columns you ask for, in any order. HSTACK places ranges side by side.
In F2, show only the employee and their salary (columns 1 and 4).
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee | Area | Role | Salary | |||||||
| 2 | Carmen | Sales | Manager | 42,000.00 | |||||||
| 3 | Jorge | IT | Analyst | 31,000.00 | |||||||
| 4 | Lucía | Finance | Accountant | 35,500.00 | |||||||
| 5 | Andrés | Sales | Executive | 22,000.00 | |||||||
| 6 | Paola | IT | Developer | 38,000.00 | |||||||
| 7 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference. F4 anchors the reference with $.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CHOOSECOLS called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is ELEGIRCOLS. The formula =CHOOSECOLS(A2:D6,1,4) is written =ELEGIRCOLS(A2:D6;1;4) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does CHOOSECOLS use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common CHOOSECOLS mistake?
- Excel 365 only. Combined with FILTER it shows only the columns that matter in the result.