Identifying Maximums and Minimums with Excel Functions

If you select a range of cells, you can have Excel findfunction uses thefollowing syntax:
the largest, or maximum, value in the range. Similarly,=MIN (data set range)
you can have Excel find the smallest, or minimum,MINA
value in the range. Excel can identify such maximum orThe MINA function returns the smallest value in a set
minimum values using its MAX and MIN functions.of data, but it includes logical valuesand text. It counts
Often, these functions are extremely useful (especiallyTRUE as 1 and FALSE and all other text as 0. The
when you're analyzing large data sets). Accordingly,MINA functionuses the following syntax:
you'll probably find it profitable to see how the four=MINA (data set range)
maximum and minimum functions work in action.A Bit More Info on the Data Set Range Input
MAXExcel's maximum and minimum accept worksheet
The MAX function returns the largest value in a set ofranges as inputs. That's what the "data set range"
data. It ignores blank cells and cellscontaining text orinput shown in the above function descriptions refers
logical values such as TRUE and FALSE. The MAXto.
function uses thefollowing syntax:These worksheet ranges, or ranges, are simply any
=MAX (data set range)rectangular area of the worksheet, such as a two-cell
MAXAby two-cell square, a five-cell by nine-cell rectangle, or
The MAXA function returns the largest value in a seteven an entire worksheet.
of data, but it includes logical valuesand text. It countsYou can also use opposite corner cell references and
TRUE as 1 and FALSE and all other text as 0. Thea colon to define ranges. For example, the range of
MAXA functionuses the following syntax:cells from C1 and up to and including C5 is written as
=MAXA (data set range)C1:C5. And the range of cells from C1 to D2 is written
MINas C1:D2.
The MIN function returns the smallest value in a set ofFinally, note that you can include several ranges as
data. It ignores blank cells and cellscontaining text orarguments.
logical values such as TRUE and FALSE. The MIN