Excel - Microsoft Excel Max Function

Description

The Excel MAX function returns the largest value from a supplied set of numerical values.

The syntax of the function is : 

MAX( number1, [number2], ... ) 

where the number arguments are a set of one or more numeric values, or arrays of numeric values, that you want to return the largest value of. These values can be supplied either directly to the function, as cells containing numeric values, or as values returned from other excel formulas. 

In Excel 2007 & Excel 2010, you can provide up to 255 number arguments to the Max function, but in Excel 2003 or earlier, you can only provide up to 30 number arguments. 

If an argument is supplied to the function as a reference to a cell, or an array of cells, the Max function will ignore blank cells, and text or logical values contained within the supplied cell range. However, logical values and text representations of numbers that are supplied directly to the function will be included. 

Excel Max vs. Excel Maxa

The Maxa Function is very similar to the Max function. The only difference is when an argument is supplied to the function as a reference to a cell or an array of cells. In this case the Max function ignores logical and text values, while the Maxa function counts the logical value TRUE as 1, the logical value FALSE as 0 and text values as 0. 

Excel Max Function Example

The following example shows the Max function used to retrieve the largest value from the set of values in cells A1 - A5. 

The format of the function is shown in the spreadsheet on the left and the resulting value is shown in the spreadsheet on the right. 

Common Error