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How to highlight the maximum value in a column in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=MAX($B$2:$B$5)=B2✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Name | Sales |
| Alice | 200 |
| Bob | 450 |
| Charlie | 300 |
| David | 450 |
=MAX($B$2:$B$5)=B2→FALSE
Try it with your data
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Sample data — click any cell to edit
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Step by step
- 1Select the range of cells in the column you want to format (e.g., B2:B5).
- 2Go to the Home tab, click Conditional Formatting, and choose New Rule.
- 3In Excel, select 'Use a formula to determine which cells to format'. In Google Sheets, choose 'Custom formula is'.
- 4Enter the formula `=MAX($B$2:$B$5)=B2` and set your desired formatting style.
- 5Click OK to apply the rule.
Tips
- Ensure your range is correctly specified to avoid highlighting incorrect cells.
- Adjust the cell references in the formula to match your specific data range.
- This method works for numerical data; for text, consider using a different approach.
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Frequently asked
What if my data range changes?
Update the formula to include the new range, ensuring absolute references are used where necessary.
Can I highlight multiple maximum values if they are the same?
Yes, this formula will highlight all instances of the maximum value.
How do I remove the conditional formatting once applied?
Select the formatted cells, go to Conditional Formatting, and choose Clear Rules.
More on Conditional formatting
See all →How-to
How to highlight duplicate values
Highlight duplicate cells automatically with Conditional Formatting using a COUNTIF rule — no formulas to copy manually.
How-toHow to highlight cells greater than a value
Use Conditional Formatting with a simple greater-than rule to automatically color cells that exceed a threshold value.
How-toHow to highlight the highest value in a range
Color the maximum value in a range automatically using a Conditional Formatting rule based on the MAX function.
How-toHow to highlight the lowest value in a range
Color the minimum value in a range using a Conditional Formatting rule built on the MIN function.
How-toHow to highlight blank cells
Use conditional formatting with ISBLANK to automatically highlight empty cells in your spreadsheet for easy visual identification.
How-toHow to highlight cells that contain specific text
Use conditional formatting with SEARCH or ISNUMBER(SEARCH()) to highlight any cell containing a specific word or phrase automatically.