How to Use the CHOOSECOLS Function in WPS on Windows

Last updated:July 17, 2026

Use CHOOSECOLS in WPS on Windows across 4 how-to topics; all 4 are available without membership and 0 are membership-related.

How-to Index

#TopicMembership
11. Enter a basic CHOOSECOLS formulaFree
22. Return multiple columns at onceFree
33. Reference column data across worksheetsFree
44. Use CHOOSECOLS in nested formulasFree

How-to Guide

1. Enter a basic CHOOSECOLS formula

Entry point: Formulas tab → Formula bar

  1. Open WPS Sheets and select the cell where you want the result to appear.
  2. Type = to start the formula.
  3. Type CHOOSECOLS( and review the function hint.
  4. Enter the array range and the column number to return.
  5. Press Enter to confirm and check whether the result appears in the cell or spills into a result range.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The cell shows a result, or the array spills into adjacent cells.
  • Next actions: You can continue editing parameters, copy the formula, or save the workbook.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: The formula does not start with =, or parentheses and separators are incomplete.
  • Environment limits: If the target spill area already contains data, the array result may not expand fully.

2. Return multiple columns at once

Entry point: Formulas tab → Formula bar

  1. Select the starting cell for the output.
  2. Type =CHOOSECOLS(array,col_num1,col_num2,col_num3).
  3. Enter multiple column number arguments as needed.
  4. Press Enter to confirm the result.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The result range returns multiple columns in the same order as the entered column numbers.
  • Next actions: You can adjust the column order to reorganize fields quickly.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: If a column number exceeds the number of columns in the source array, the formula returns an error.
  • Environment limits: Leave enough empty space for the returned array.

3. Reference column data across worksheets

Entry point: Formulas tab → Formula bar

  1. In the target worksheet, select the starting cell for the result.
  2. Type =CHOOSECOLS(.
  3. Switch to the source worksheet and select the data range.
  4. Return to the formula and add the column number arguments.
  5. Press Enter to confirm the cross-sheet result.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The current worksheet shows data from selected columns in another worksheet.
  • Next actions: When the source sheet changes, the result can recalculate automatically.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: The worksheet name or referenced range is incorrect.
  • Environment limits: If the source data structure changes, review whether the column numbers still match the intended fields.

4. Use CHOOSECOLS in nested formulas

Entry point: Formulas tab → Formula bar

  1. Select the cell where you want the result.
  2. Start with the outer function or type CHOOSECOLS( first.
  3. Use CHOOSECOLS as an argument in another formula, or nest another function inside CHOOSECOLS.
  4. Check the parenthesis structure and argument order.
  5. Press Enter to confirm the result.

Success Criteria

  • UI state: The formula returns the expected result, and the full nested structure is visible in the formula bar.
  • Next actions: You can copy the formula to other cells for batch analysis.

Tips While Using

  • Common mistakes: Deep nesting can cause mismatched parentheses.
  • Environment limits: For complex formulas, editing in the formula bar makes the full expression easier to review.