Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=DMAX(database,field,criteria)- database - Database range including headers.
- field - Field name or index to count.
- criteria - Criteria range including headers.
How to use
The Excel DMAX function gets the maximum value in a given field from a set of records that match criteria. The database argument is a range of cells that includes field headers, field is the name or index of the field to get a max value from, and criteria is a range of cells with headers that match those in database.
Using the example above, you can get the maximum value from the field "Price" for records where the color is "Red" and quantity is > 2 with these formulas:
=DMAX(B7:E14,"Price",B4:E5) // field by name
=DMAX(B7:E14,2,B4:E5) // field by index
Criteria options
The criteria can include a variety of expressions, including some wildcards. The table below shows some examples:
| Criteria | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Red | Match "red" or "RED" |
| Re* | Begins with "re" |
| 10 | Equal to 10 |
| >10 | Greater than 10 |
| <> | Not blank |
| <>100 | Not 100 |
| >12/19/2017 | Greater than Dec 19, 2017 |
Note: it appears support for wildcards is not as extensive as with other functions like COUNTIFS, SUMIFS, MATCH, etc. For example, the pattern ??? will match strings with 3 exactly characters in more modern functions, but not in the database functions. If you are using wildcards, test carefully.
Multi-row criteria
The criteria range for DMAX can include more than one row below the headers. When criteria includes more than one row, each row is joined with OR logic, and the expressions in a given criteria row are joined with AND logic.
Notes:
- DMAX supports some wildcards in criteria
- Criteria can include more than one row (as explained above)
- The field argument can be supplied as a name in double quotes ("") or as a number representing field index.
- The database and criteria ranges must include matching headers.
Related functions
DCOUNT Function
The Excel DCOUNT function counts matching records in a database using criteria and an optional field. When a field is provided DCOUNT will only count numeric values in the field. Use DCOUNTA to count numbers or text values in a given field.
DCOUNTA Function
The Excel DCOUNTA function counts matching records in a database using criteria and an optional field. When a field is provided, DCOUNTA counts both numeric and text values when the field value is not empty. Use DCOUNT to count only numeric values in a ...
DMIN Function
The Excel DMIN function returns the minimum value in a field, from a set of records that match criteria. Use the MAX function to get the maximum value.
