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The MAX function

The largest value of a range. Since a date is a number, it is also the most recent date.

Syntax

=MAX(number1, [number2], …)

In a French Excel: =MAX(nombre1; [nombre2]; …).

Arguments

  • number1, number2…: numbers, cells or ranges.

An example

=MAX(D2:D500)

The date of the last order, if column D contains dates.

Pitfalls

  • Text is ignored: dates stored as text are not seen.
  • An empty range returns 0, not an error.

Going further

  • MAXIFS, by criteria.
  • LARGE, for the second, the third…

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the maximum by criterion?
=MAXIFS(C:C,A:A,"North"), in Excel 2019 and later.