A permutation instruction generates vector elements for a destination register using identified source and destination registers. A plurality of partial table lookups corresponding to an extended table produces a plurality of intermediate results. At least one source register stores a plurality of index values corresponding to the extended table. Out-of-range index values are values that are not contained in at least one additional source register and result in a predetermined constant value being stored into a predetermined vector element of the destination register. The index values are adjusted between the partial table lookups. A final result is formed by performing a logic function with the plurality of intermediate results. The final result is thereby formed without a full table lookup of each element of the final result.