MAXA Google Sheets Function [With Quiz]
Updated: October 26, 2021 In Google Sheets the MAXA function provides the maximum value found in the values, cells, or ranges provided as arguments.
MAXA differs from MAX by treating Boolean and text data provided in cell and range references as numbers (TRUE = 1, FALSE = 0, and text = 0).
MAXA Syntax
- value1 = a value, cell reference, or range reference from which to return the maximum value.
- [value2, ...] = [optional] additional values, cell references, or range references.
Dates, times, and durations are included in the search for the maximum value by MAXA because, in Google Sheets, dates and times are just numbers made to look like dates and times.
When negative and positive numbers are included, the 'maximum' is the largest positive number.
When only negative numbers are included, the 'maximum' is the smallest negative number.
The maximum is not the value furthest from zero:
Returns 100.
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MAXA Function Example
| A | B | C | |
| 1 | Data | Formula | Output |
| 2 | 0 | =MAXA(A2:A) | 1 |
| 3 | -15 | ||
| 4 | zero | ||
| 5 | -6 | ||
| 6 | TRUE | ||
| 7 | -34 |
The values considered are:
- 0
- -15
- "zero" = 0
- -6
- TRUE = 1
- -34
Therefore, the output is 1.
Using cell and range references that contain only blank cells in the arguments of the MAXA function will output 0.
MAXA Errors
The arguments to MAXA can be provided as numbers, Boolean data, cell references, or range references:
Providing text as an argument directly (e.g. =MAXA(1,FALSE,"Text",A1,B1:B2)) will result in a #VALUE! error:
Function MAXA parameter 3 expects number values. But 'Text' is a text and cannot be coerced to a number.
When text is included in a cell or range reference it is treated as 0.
If the referenced data includes an error, MAXA will output the first error it encounters:
| A | B | C | |
| 1 | Data | Formula | Output |
| 2 | 98 | =MAXA(A2:A) | #N/A |
| 3 | 15 | ||
| 4 | #N/A | ||
| 5 | 6 | ||
| 6 | #ERROR! | ||
| 7 | 34 |
Another obvious error is if you don't include any arguments (as the first value1 is required):
Which results in an #N/A error:
Wrong number of arguments to MAXA. Expected at least 1 arguments, but got 0 arguments.
MAXA Function Quiz
Here's a quick summary of how to use the quiz spreadsheet:
- Select the required cell while the formula bar is empty
- Type your answer in the formula bar
- You can click on the spreadsheet to add cell/range references
Complete all questions to solidify your understanding of the MAXA function.
| A | B | C | |
| 1 | Salesperson | Complaints | Cost |
| 2 | Dwight | None | None |
| 3 | Jim | -1 | -$324 |
| 4 | Phyllis | -2 | -$648 |
| 5 | Stanley | -3 | -$972 |
| 6 | Andy | -6 | -$1,944 |
| 7 | |||
| 8 | Fewest complaints: | ||
| 9 | Lowest cost: | ||
| 10 |
FREE RESOURCE
Google Sheets Cheat Sheet
12 exclusive tips to make user-friendly sheets from today:
You'll get updates from me with an easy-to-find "unsubscribe" link.
