MAX vs MAXA vs LARGE and MIN vs MINA vs SMALL Functions in Excel

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Marjory Chase
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1 provides functions to calculate the largest or maximum value in a range and also functions to calculate the smallest or minimum value in a range. The first function we are going to look at is the MAX Function. This function returns the largest or maximum value, of a set of values. The syntax of the MAX Function is: If one is using references that contain logical values or text representations of numbers then it is best to use the MAXA Function. The MAXA Function also returns the largest value from a list of values provided, however, the MAXA Function can incorporate numbers, text representations of numbers and logical values. The syntax of the MAXA Function is: All rights reserved to Demy.com. 1

2 The LARGE Function returns the k-th largest value in a list of values. One can use this function to return the first largest value (the same value the MAX Function would return) or the second largest value in a data set or the third largest value in a data set and so on. The syntax of the LARGE Function is: All rights reserved to Demy.com. 2

If one is using references that contain logical values that have to be included in the actual calculation, then it is best to use the MINA Function.

4 If one is using references that contain logical values that have to be included in the actual calculation, then it is best to use the MINA Function. The MINA Function also returns the smallest value from a list of values provided, however, the MINA Function can incorporate numbers, text representations of numbers and logical values. The syntax of the MINA Function is: The SMALL Function returns the k-th smallest value in a list of values. One can use this function to return the smallest value (the same value the MIN Function would return) or the second smallest value in a data set or the third smallest value in a data set and so on. The syntax of the SMALL Function is: All rights reserved to Demy.com. 4

5 So, let s get started with a few simple examples to illustrate where to use the different functions. Table of Contents 1 The MAX Function 2 The MAXA Function 3 The LARGE Function 4 The MIN Function 5 The MINA Function 6 The SMALL Function 7 Using the Data Analysis tool in order to get the descriptive statistics of a dataset 8 Crossover Tip (Using These Functions in MS Word) 9 Download Files 10 Conclusion The MAX Function We have a list of numbers in cell range A4: A50, and we would like to see the values which one is the largest or the maximum value of the data set. So, for this simple evaluation, we can use the MAX Function. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 5

10 Read More: How to Use ROUND, ROUNDUP, ROUNDDOWN, MROUND & CEILING Functions The MAXA Function We have a mixed list of values (numbers and a logical value) in cell range A4: A8 and we would like to see the values, which one is the largest or the maximum value of the data set. So, for this evaluation, we can use the MAXA Function. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 10

12 2) Upon pressing CTRL-ENTER, we get a value of 1 returned, because the logical value of TRUE is read as 1, and thus 1 (the TRUE value) is evaluated to be the largest of this data set. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 12

13 The LARGE Function We have a list of numbers in cell range A4: A50, and we would like to see the values which one is the largest or the maximum value of the data set using the LARGE Function. We then want to see the second largest value in the data set and the fourth largest. This is the same dataset, we used in the MAX Function example. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 13

20 The MIN Function We have a list of numbers in cell range A4: A50 and we would like to see the values, which one is the smallest or the minimum value of the data set. So, for this simple evaluation, we can use the MIN Function. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 20

23 The MINA Function We have a mixed list of values (numbers and a logical value) in cell range A4: A8 and we would like to see the values, which one is the smallest or the minimum value of the data set. So, for this evaluation, we can use the MINA Function. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 23

25 2) Upon pressing CTRL-ENTER, we get a value of 0 returned, because the logical value of FALSE is read as 0, and thus 0 (the FALSE value) is evaluated to be the smallest of this data set. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 25

26 The SMALL Function We have a list of numbers in cell range A4: A50 and we would like to see the values, which one is the smallest or the minimum value of the data set using the SMALL Function. We then want to see the second smallest value in the data set and the third smallest. This is the same data set we used in the MIN Function example. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 26

33 Using the Data Analysis tool in order to get the descriptive statistics of a dataset One can also get the minimum, maximum, average and other descriptive statistics of a data set using the Data Analysis Tool. You can also see the fourth largest value or second smallest value, for example, using this tool. We have a range of numbers, and we want to get the entire descriptive statistics for the range. So we can use the Data Analysis Tool in order to do this. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 33

36 4) Select A4: A50 as the input range, grouped by Columns. Select $E$4 as the output range on the same worksheet. Check summary statistics in order to get the maximum, minimum and other summary statistics delivered. For the Kth largest value put 4, in order to get the fourth largest value of the data set. For the Kth smallest put 2, in order to get the second smallest value of the data set. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 36

5) Click Ok. 6) The maximum value of 1.275 and the minimum value of 0.082 for the data set is returned. The fourth largest value of 1.

37 5) Click Ok. 6) The maximum value of and the minimum value of for the data set is returned. The fourth largest value of and the second smallest value of of the entire data set, is also delivered as part of the descriptive statistics. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 37

38 And there you have it. Crossover Tip (Using These Functions in MS Word) One can calculate the MAX or MIN of a set of numbers in a Word Table as well. In our Word Table below, we have two columns and we would like to work out the maximum value using the MAX Function in Word, for the first column, and the minimum value of the second column using the MIN Function in Word. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 38

2) Enter =MAX(ABOVE) and choose a Number Format

42 4) In order to work out the minimum for the second column, in the orange shaded cell, go to Table Tools>Layout>Data>Formula. 5) Enter =MIN(ABOVE) and choose a Number Format as shown below. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 42

44 Download Files Max-Maxa-Large-Min-Mina-Small Word-Example Conclusion provides a few efficient ways of calculating the minimum or maximum of a data set. The standard functions are the MIN and MAX Function. However, there is also the MINA, MAXA, LARGE and SMALL Functions which extend the functionality of the standard functions. Word also provides a way to calculate the minimum and maximum value in a Table and one can use the Table referencing nomenclature in word to refer to cells or use the ABOVE, BELOW, LEFT nomenclature in one s word table formulas. Please feel free to comment and tell us if which of the summary statistical functions you use in your spreadsheets or Word tables. 3 All rights reserved to Demy.com. 44

45 SHARES FacebookTwitter Taryn N Taryn is a Microsoft Certified Professional, who has used Office Applications such as and Access extensively, in her interdisciplinary academic career and work experience. She has a background in biochemistry, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and biofuels. She enjoys showcasing the functionality of in various disciplines. In her spare time when she s not exploring or Access, she is into graphic design, amateur photography and caring for her two pets, Pretzel and Snoopy. All rights reserved to Demy.com. 45

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