Microsoft KB Archive/213375

= XL2000: How to Return the Address of the Cell with the Largest or Smallest Value =

Article ID: 213375

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q213375





SUMMARY
This article demonstrates two ways that you can find the address of the cell containing the largest or smallest value in a range of cells in a Microsoft Excel worksheet. If you are using a single row or column of data, you can use a worksheet formula. If you are using multiple rows or columns of adjacent data, you need to create a custom Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications function. For examples of both methods, see the "More Information" section.



Using Formulas
You can return the address of the cell with the largest or smallest value in a column or row by using the CELL, OFFSET, and MATCH functions along with the MAX or the MIN function.

If there are multiple occurrences of the largest or smallest value, the following formulas return the cell address of the first occurrence of the value. If there is only one occurrence of the value, the address of the cell containing that value is returned.

To return the address of a cell in a column (in this example, column A, cells A1:A10), use the appropriate formula in the following table.   For this address     Use this formula Cell with largest value       =CELL("address",OFFSET(A1,MATCH(MAX(A1:A10),A1:A10,0)-1,0))

Cell with smallest value       =CELL("address",OFFSET(A1,MATCH(MIN(A1:A10),A1:A10,0)-1,0)) To return the address of a cell in a row (in this example, column A, cells A1:J1), use the appropriate formula in the following table.   For this address     Use this formula --  Cell with largest value       =CELL("address",OFFSET(A1,0,MATCH(MAX(A1:J1),A1:J1,0)-1))

Cell with smallest value       =CELL("address",OFFSET(A1,0,MATCH(MIN(A1:J1),A1:J1,0)-1))

Using Custom Functions
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

To return the cell address of the largest value in an adjacent range that is larger than a single column or row, use the following custom Visual Basic for Applications function: Function MaxAddress(The_Range)

' Sets variable equal to maximum value in the input range. MaxNum = Application.Max(The_Range) ' Loop to check each cell in the input range to see if equals the ' MaxNum variable. For Each cell In The_Range If cell = MaxNum Then ' If the cell value equals the MaxNum variable it        ' returns the address to the function and exits the loop. MaxAddress = cell.Address Exit For End If  Next cell

End Function To find the cell address of the smallest value in an adjacent range, substitute the Min function for the Max function, as in the following sample function: Function MinAddress(The_Range)

' Sets variable equal to minimum value in the input range. MinNum = Application.Min(The_Range) ' Loop to check each cell in the input range to see if equals the ' min variable. For Each cell In The_Range If cell = MinNum Then ' If the cell value equals the max variable it        ' returns the address to the function and exits the loop MinAddress = cell.Address Exit For End If  Next cell

End Function

