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How to highlight the highest value in a range in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=A2=MAX($A$2:$A$6)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Score |
| 80 |
| 95 |
| 72 |
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=A2=MAX($A$2:$A$6)→FALSE
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Step by step
- 1Select the range to check (e.g., A2:A6).
- 2Open Conditional Formatting and choose 'Use a formula' (Excel: New Rule → Use a formula; Sheets: Format → Conditional Formatting → Custom formula is).
- 3Enter =A2=MAX($A$2:$A$6) and pick a highlight color — every cell equal to the maximum will be colored.
Tips
- If there are ties (multiple cells share the max), all tied cells get highlighted. To highlight only the first occurrence of the max, use =AND(A2=MAX($A$2:$A$6),COUNTIF($A$2:A2,MAX($A$2:$A$6))=1).
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
Can I highlight the top 3 values instead of just the highest?
Yes — use LARGE: =A2>=LARGE($A$2:$A$6,3) highlights all values in the top 3.
Does this work for text ranges?
MAX only works with numbers. For text, use MAX with EXACT or sort the range and check the last item.
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 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.
How-toHow to shade every other row
Use conditional formatting with MOD and ROW to automatically apply alternating row colors for a banded, readable table layout.