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MAX

Returns the largest number in a set of values.

Quick Example​

=MAX(A1:A10)

Returns the maximum value from cells A1 through A10.

Syntax​

=MAX(value1, [value2], ...)

Arguments​

  • value1 (required): The first number, cell reference, or range
  • value2, ... (optional): Additional numbers, cell references, or ranges (up to 255 arguments)

Examples​

Find Maximum in Range​

=MAX(A1:A5)

If A1:A5 contains [45, 12, 78, 23, 56], returns 78

Multiple Ranges​

=MAX(A1:A5, C1:C5)

Returns the maximum value across both ranges

Mix of Values and Ranges​

=MAX(A1:A5, 100, 200)

Finds the maximum among the range values and the direct values 100 and 200

Find Highest Score​

=MAX(B2:B20)

Returns the highest score from a list

Compare Two Values​

=MAX(A1, B1)

Returns whichever value is larger

With Negative Numbers​

=MAX(-5, 10, -20, 30)

Returns 30 (the largest value)

How It Works​

Number Processing​

In ranges:

  • Numbers are included in the comparison
  • Text values are ignored
  • Empty cells are ignored
  • Logical values (TRUE/FALSE) are ignored

Direct arguments:

  • Numbers are compared directly
  • Text that can be coerced to numbers is converted
  • TRUE converts to 1, FALSE to 0
  • Empty arguments are treated as 0

No Values Found​

If no numeric values are found in any of the arguments, MAX returns 0:

=MAX(A1:A5)

Where all cells contain text → Returns 0

Common Use Cases​

Find Highest Score​

=MAX(B2:B50)

Find the highest test score

Peak Performance​

=MAX(Sales_Data)

Find the best sales day

Temperature Monitoring​

=MAX(Temperature_Readings)

Find the highest temperature

Budget Analysis​

=MAX(Monthly_Expenses)

Find the highest monthly expense

Growth Tracking​

=MAX(C2:C100)

Find the maximum growth value

Error Handling​

Error Propagation​

If any argument contains an error value, MAX returns that error:

=MAX(10, #DIV/0!, 30)

Returns #DIV/0!

Common Errors​

ErrorCauseSolution
#VALUE!Invalid argumentCheck that arguments are valid
#REF!Invalid cell referenceVerify cell references exist
#NAME?Function name misspelledCheck spelling: =MAX not =MAXIMUM

Empty Range Behavior​

=MAX(A1:A10)

If range contains no numbers → Returns 0 (not an error)

Technical Details​

Implementation Notes​

  • Supports up to 255 arguments
  • Returns 0 if no numeric values are found
  • Uses standard numeric comparison
  • Efficiently processes large ranges
  • Handles negative numbers correctly

Type Coercion​

When arguments are provided directly:

=MAX(5, "10", TRUE)

Returns 10 ("10" is converted to 10, TRUE is converted to 1)

When values are in a range:

=MAX(A1:A3)

Where A1=5, A2="10", A3=TRUE Returns 5 (only the number is considered; text and logical are ignored)

Zero vs Empty​

=MAX(A1:A5)
  • If all cells are empty: returns 0
  • If one cell = 0 and others are empty: returns 0
  • The function cannot distinguish between "no values" and "maximum is 0"

Comparison: MAX vs MIN​

MAX - Largest Value​

=MAX(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns 50

MIN - Smallest Value​

=MIN(10, 20, 30, 40, 50)

Returns 10

Advanced Examples​

Find Range of Values​

=MAX(A1:A10) - MIN(A1:A10)

Calculate the difference between highest and lowest values

Cap Values at Maximum​

=MIN(A1, 100)

Ensure a value doesn't exceed 100 (use MIN to "cap" at a max)

Set Floor and Ceiling​

=MAX(MIN(A1, 100), 0)

Ensure value is between 0 and 100

  • MIN - Find the smallest value
  • AVERAGE - Calculate the average
  • COUNT - Count numeric values
  • IF - Conditional logic