The MAXA function takes multiple arguments in the form number1, number2, number3, etc. up to 255 total. Arguments can be a hardcoded constant, a cell reference, or a range, in any combination.
Examples
Like the MAX function, the MAXA function returns the largest number in the supplied data: MAXA can be used with constants, cell references, or ranges:
MAXA vs. MAX
The primary difference between MAX and MAXA is that MAXA evaluates TRUE and FALSE values as 1 and 0, and text values as zero when these values appear in a range or in a cell reference. You can see this behavior in the range I7:I12 of the example shown. While the MAX function ignores the logical and text values completely, the MAXA function includes these values when calculating a maximum value. Note that MAX and MAXA both evaluate numbers as text when supplied directly as arguments:
Notes
MAXA ignores empty cells, but evaluates logical values and text values. Arguments can be provided as numbers, names, arrays, or references. If arguments contain no numeric values, MAXA returns 0. To ignore logical values and text, see the MAX function.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
