Function Reference: MAX, MIN
| Syntax | ||
| =MAX(number1,[number2]...[number255]) =MIN(number1,[number2]...[number255]) |
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| Purpose / Description | ||
| Returns the largest value from a set of numbers (MAX) or the smallest value from a set of numbers (MIN). Each function accepts up to 255 values, references or nested expressions, from which the largest or smallest value is returned. The sign of the numeric values is significant. | ||
| Arguments | ||
| Name | Type | Description |
| number1 | any | A constant, array of constants, reference or nested expression returning a single value or array of values. Text strings and logical values in referenced ranges are ignored. Constant text strings or text strings generated by nested expressions are coerced to number, if possible. If they cannot be coerced, they cause an error. |
| [number2]...[number255] | any | Optional constants, arrays of constants, references or nested expressions returning single values or arrays of values. Text strings and logical values in referenced ranges are ignored. Constant text strings or text strings generated by nested expressions are coerced to number, if possible. If they cannot be coerced, they cause an error. |
| Return Values | ||
| Type | Specific Value | Description |
| number | For MAX: The numerically largest value from all the values passed or referenced in the arguments. For MIN: The numerically smallest value from all the values passed or referenced in the arguments. |
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| number | If all referenced cells are logical values, text strings or blanks. | |
| error | #VALUE! | Text strings entered as constants or produced by nested expressions that cannot be coerced to number generate this error. |
| error | Any errors referenced by arguments are returned due to propagation of error values. | |
| Notes / Comments / Advice / Warnings | ||
| Note: | Both MAX and MIN will accept range references that span worksheets in each of their arguments. | |
| Advice:: | When seeking to limit the result of a calculation to be at or above a lower limit, the use of MAX can streamline and simplify calculations. For instance, the expression =MAX(0,A1) is simpler than =IF(A1<0,0,A1) Where the part of this expression is complex, the use of MAX is very effective. | |
| Advice: | When seeking to limit the result of a calculation to be at or below an upper limit, the use of MIN can streamline and simplify calculations. For instance, the expression =MIN(0,A1) is simpler than =IF(A1>0,0,A1) Where the part of this expression is complex, the use of MIN is very effective. | |
| Caution: | The online help suggests that to include numbers stored as strings, use MAXA instead of MAX, and to use MINA instead of MIN. This is incorrect, regardless of whether the numeric text strings are in references or constants, or the results of nested expressions, the results for both functions are exactly the same. The only effective difference is that MAXA and MINA will coerce logical values and include them in the calculation. | |
| Examples: | Open / download sample workbook: MAX, MAXA, MIN, MINA.xlsx | |