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How to find the second largest value in Excel and Google Sheets

Topic:RANK & statistical aggregates
Excel & Google Sheets
=LARGE(A2:A4,2)
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Verified example

Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.

Scores
95
88
72

=LARGE(A2:A4,2)→88

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Step by step

  1. 1Enter your numeric data in a column, for example A2:A20.
  2. 2In an empty cell, type =LARGE(A2:A20,2) and press Enter — this returns the second largest value in the range.
  3. 3To find the third largest, change 2 to 3: =LARGE(A2:A20,3).
  4. 4To return the row label of the second largest value, combine with INDEX MATCH: =INDEX(B2:B20,MATCH(LARGE(A2:A20,2),A2:A20,0)).

Tips

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Frequently asked

What's the difference between LARGE and MAX?

MAX always returns the largest value; LARGE(range,N) returns the Nth largest. LARGE(range,1) is equivalent to MAX, while LARGE(range,2) gives the second largest.

How do I find the second largest unique value (ignoring duplicates)?

In Excel 365 or Google Sheets: =LARGE(UNIQUE(A2:A20),2) — wrap UNIQUE around the range to deduplicate before finding the second largest.

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Formulas used

LARGESMALLMAX

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