Excel MAX Function
MAX returns the largest numeric value from the numbers or ranges you provide.
Use it to find the highest score, latest date, biggest sale, longest duration, or any other maximum value in a dataset.
MAX syntax & arguments
Syntax
=MAX(number1, [number2], ...)
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1
number1
RequiredThe first number, cell reference, or range to compare.
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2
number2
Optional RepeatableAdditional numbers, cell references, or ranges to compare.
Example
=MAX(E2:E25)
Return the largest numeric value in E2:E25.
MAX caveats
MAX is simple, but the highest value may not always mean what it looks like in the spreadsheet.
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Text in referenced cells is ignored
Numbers stored as text do not compete for the maximum when they are inside a referenced range.
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Dates are numbers
When dates are included, MAX returns the latest date because later dates have larger serial numbers.
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No numeric values returns 0
If the supplied arguments contain no numbers, MAX returns
0, which can hide missing data. -
Errors stop the result
Error values in the referenced data cause MAX to return an error.
Need conditions? Use MAXIFS when the maximum should be calculated only for matching rows.
Intro MAX practice problem
Solve the intro problem directly here, or open it on its own page.
Advanced MAX practice problems
Use MAX alongside other Excel functions in realistic, less-prescriptive challenges.
