CHOOSECOLS in WPS on Windows: Introduction

CHOOSECOLS in WPS on Windows helps you return a new array by selecting specific columns; this guide covers 4 core tasks, with 4 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	4	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	4	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index

About This Feature

Overview

CHOOSECOLS is an array function in WPS Sheets that returns selected columns from an existing range or array and creates a new result range.

Core capabilities include:

Return specific columns by column number for spreadsheet data extraction.
Use multiple column arguments to return several columns at once.
Support cross-sheet references and nested calculations for more flexible formulas.
Recalculate results automatically when source data changes.

This function is useful for report cleanup, field reordering, spreadsheet analysis, and dynamic data extraction.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A Windows device that can run the current version of WPS Office
App version	It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office
Network	No required network connection for local formula calculation; internet access is needed for download, installation, and account-related actions
Other	You need to be able to open WPS Sheets files and edit the target worksheet

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official Download	WPS Office Free Download
Post-install Check	Open WPS Sheets, open any workbook, and type `=CHOOSECOLS(` in a cell to check whether the function hint appears

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	Supports the CHOOSECOLS function in WPS Sheets to return selected columns from an array for field reordering and spreadsheet analysis.	Excel provides CHOOSECOLS to return specified columns from an array and supports multiple column arguments.	Google Sheets provides CHOOSECOLS to create a new array from selected columns in an existing range.	Notion supports formulas and property-based calculations, but it does not provide a spreadsheet-style CHOOSECOLS function for array column extraction.	Adobe Acrobat supports calculated PDF form fields, but it does not provide spreadsheet array functions for selecting columns from a range.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: Use CHOOSECOLS directly in WPS Sheets for column-based array extraction; Distinct: cross-sheet references and nested calculations fit everyday spreadsheet workflows.	Compared with WPS: Excel offers a directly comparable function with similar syntax and array behavior.	Compared with WPS: Google Sheets also supports CHOOSECOLS and is oriented toward browser-based collaboration.	Compared with WPS: Notion is better suited to database properties and formula fields than spreadsheet column extraction.	Compared with WPS: Adobe focuses on PDF form calculations rather than spreadsheet column selection and array reshaping.
Official Source	—	CHOOSECOLS function	CHOOSECOLS function	Formula syntax and functions	Configure form field calculations in Acrobat

Overall Conclusion
If your work focuses on spreadsheet column extraction, field reordering, and formula-based analysis, CHOOSECOLS in WPS offers a direct way to build a new array from selected columns. Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets provide similar spreadsheet functions, while Notion and Adobe are designed for database or PDF form scenarios instead of this type of spreadsheet task.

Use Cases

#	Scenario	Target Users	Core Pain Point	Solution
1	Extract key report columns	Finance teams, administrative staff	Source tables contain too many fields to review quickly	Use CHOOSECOLS to return only the columns you need
2	Reorder data fields	Spreadsheet editors	The original column order does not match the output format	Enter target column numbers in the required order
3	Pull columns across sheets	Operations teams, analysts	Data is spread across multiple worksheets	Combine CHOOSECOLS with cross-sheet references
4	Build nested formulas	Advanced spreadsheet users	A single function is not enough for the calculation	Use CHOOSECOLS inside other formulas or nest other functions inside it
5	Keep results dynamic	Everyday office users	Manual rework is needed after source data changes	Let recalculation update the returned array automatically

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Feature	Free User	WPS Member
CHOOSECOLS function	✅ Available	✅ Available
Basic spreadsheet editing	✅ Available	✅ Available
Additional advanced benefits	Use the free scope shown on the product page	Access the expanded benefits included in the subscription plan
Cloud storage and selected value-added features	Basic quota and basic capabilities	Higher quota or more value-added capabilities

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Use Case	Recommended Plan	Reason
Daily use of CHOOSECOLS and basic spreadsheet work	Free	The function itself is available without membership and fits routine spreadsheet tasks
Need more cloud storage or broader office benefits	WPS Premium	Suitable if you also need expanded benefits beyond the core spreadsheet function

WPS membership center: Subscribe now