IFS and SWITCH pass on the selected value whole, and later arrays do not lift the call

FN-IFS-001: IFS and SWITCH pass on the selected value whole, and later arrays do not lift the call

Quirk · measured · recorded 2026-11-04

Once a scalar test selects a result, array arguments after it have no effect on the shape: IFS(TRUE,1,{FALSE,TRUE},{2,3}) and SWITCH(2,2,1,{1,2},3) each return one 1, not an array, and SWITCH("A","a",1,{"A","A"},2) returns 1 because the match ignores case. The selected value itself is passed on as it is. A selected reference stays a reference: ISBLANK(IFS(TRUE,Data!Z1)) is TRUE over an empty cell. A selected LAMBDA shows as #CALC! in the cell, IFS(TRUE,LAMBDA(xx,xx)), and a selected array of LAMBDAs as #CALC! in each cell. A test that is not TRUE or FALSE gives #VALUE! in the shape of its result: IFS("2",{"hit","hit"}) is {#VALUE!,#VALUE!}. A direct error as the SWITCH expression stays one error: SWITCH(#VALUE!,1,{1,2},0) is #VALUE!.

Basis: 11 recorded selection readings in dynamic-array Excel, each with size observers.

Open: A selected LAMBDA that is then called, or passed through LET or IFERROR, has not been read in a published capture.