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How to find the maximum with a condition in Excel and Google Sheets
Excel & Google Sheets
=MAXIFS(B2:B6,A2:A6,"North")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Region | Sales |
| North | 4200 |
| South | 3100 |
| North | 5800 |
| West | 2700 |
| North | 4900 |
=MAXIFS(B2:B6,A2:A6,"North")→5800
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Step by step
- 1Type =MAXIFS( in your result cell.
- 2Select the range to find the maximum in, e.g. B2:B6.
- 3Add a comma, then select the criteria range, e.g. A2:A6.
- 4Add a comma, then enter the criterion in quotes, e.g. "North".
- 5Close the parenthesis and press Enter.
Tips
- MAXIFS was introduced in Excel 2019 and is available in all Google Sheets versions. For Excel 2016 or earlier, use =MAX(IF(A2:A6="North",B2:B6)) entered with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
- You can add additional criteria pairs: =MAXIFS(max_range, range1, criteria1, range2, criteria2).
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Frequently asked
What does MAXIFS return if no cells match?
It returns 0 when no cells in the criteria range match the condition.
Can I use wildcards in MAXIFS criteria?
Yes — use * for any sequence of characters and ? for a single character, e.g. "No*" matches "North" and "Northeast".