MAX Function (OpenOffice Calc)
The MAX function in OpenOffice Calc returns the largest numeric value from a list of numbers, ranges, or mixed arguments. Learn syntax, examples, common errors, and best practices.
Compatibility
▾| Excel | ✔ |
| Gnumeric | ✔ |
| Google_sheets | ✔ |
| Libreoffice | ✔ |
| Numbers | ✖ |
| Onlyoffice | ✔ |
| Openoffice | ✔ |
| Wps | ✔ |
| Zoho | ✔ |
What the MAX Function Does â–¾
- Returns the largest numeric value in a dataset
- Ignores text and empty cells
- Includes dates and times (because they are numeric)
- Works across sheets
- Handles large datasets efficiently
- Useful for analytics, dashboards, and reporting
MAX is ideal for identifying top performers, highest values, and peak measurements.
Syntax â–¾
MAX(number1; number2; ...)
Arguments:
- number1, number2, … — Individual values, cell references, or ranges
MAX ignores text, empty cells, and logical values, but includes dates and times.
Basic Examples â–¾
Find the largest value in a range
=MAX(A1:A10)
Find the largest value across multiple ranges
=MAX(A1:A10; C1:C10)
Find the largest value in a list
=MAX(10; 25; 7; 99)
Result: 99
Find the latest date
If A1:A5 contains dates:
=MAX(A1:A5)
Result: the most recent date.
Advanced Examples â–¾
Find the maximum across sheets
=MAX(Sheet1.A1:A100)
Find the maximum visible value (filtered data)
Use SUBTOTAL:
=SUBTOTAL(4; A1:A100)
Function code 4 = MAX.
Find the maximum with conditions (workaround)
OpenOffice Calc does not have MAXIF, but you can use:
=MAX(IF(A1:A100="North"; B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Find the maximum within a date range
=MAX(IF((A1:A100>=DATE(2025;1;1))*(A1:A100<=DATE(2025;12;31)); B1:B100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Find the maximum excluding zeros
=MAX(IF(A1:A100<>0; A1:A100))
Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Find the maximum in a 3D range
=MAX(Sheet1:Sheet5.A1:A10)
Common Errors and Fixes â–¾
MAX returns 0 unexpectedly
Possible causes:
- All values are text
- All values are empty
- Imported numbers stored as text
- Hidden apostrophes (
'123)
Fix: Convert text to numbers:
Data → Text to Columns → OK
MAX includes values you expected it to ignore
MAX includes:
- Dates
- Times
- Numeric results of formulas
MAX excludes values you expected it to include
MAX ignores:
- Text numbers (
"123") - Empty cells
- Logical values (TRUE/FALSE)
- Errors
Err:502 — Invalid argument
Occurs when:
- A malformed range is used
- A text argument is not quoted properly
Err:508 — Missing parenthesis
Usually caused by:
- Missing
) - Using commas instead of semicolons
Best Practices â–¾
- Use MAX for numeric datasets
- Use array formulas for conditional maximums
- Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
- Avoid mixing text and numbers in the same column
- Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
- Use SUBTOTAL for filtered data
To find the top N values, combine MAX with the LARGE function for more flexible ranking.