MAXIFS function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is MAXIFS function in Excel?
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Syntax of MAXIFS function
MAXIFS(max_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2], …)
| Argument | Description |
| max_range | The actual range of cells in which the maximum will be determined. |
| criteria_range1 | Is the set of cells to evaluate with the criteria. |
| criteria1 | Is the criteria in the form of a number, expression, or text that defines which cells will be evaluated as maximum. The same set of criteria works for the MINIFS, SUMIFS, and AVERAGEIFS functions. |
| criteria_range2, criteria2, …(optional) |
Additional ranges and their associated criteria. You can enter up to 126 range/criteria pairs. |
Explanation of MAXIFS function
- The size and shape of the max_range and criteria_rangeN arguments must be the same, otherwise these functions return the #VALUE! error.
Examples of MAXIFS function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
Example 1
| Grade | Weight |
| 89 | 1 |
| 93 | 2 |
| 96 | 2 |
| 85 | 3 |
| 91 | 1 |
| 88 | 1 |
| Formula | Result |
| =MAXIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,1) | 91
In criteria_range1 the cells B2, B6, and B7 match the criteria of 1. Of the corresponding cells in max_range, A6 has the maximum value. The result is therefore 91. |
Example 2
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Weight | Grade |
| 10 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 100 | a |
| 1 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 1 | a |
| Formula | Result |
| =MAXIFS(A2:A5,B3:B6,”a”) | 10
Note: The criteria_range and max_range aren’t aligned, but they are the same shape and size. In criteria_range1, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th cells match the criteria of “a.” Of the corresponding cells in max_range, A2 has the maximum value. The result is therefore 10. |
Example 3
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 100 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 100 | a | Business | 200 |
| 1 | b | Technical | 300 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 50 | b | Business | 400 |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MAXIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,”b”,D2:D7,”>100″) | 50
In criteria_range1, B2, B5, and B7 match the criteria of “b.” Of the corresponding cells in criteria_range2, D5 and D7 match the criteria of >100. Finally, of the corresponding cells in max_range, A7 has the maximum value. The result is therefore 50. |
Example 4
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 8 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 8 |
| 100 | a | Business | 8 |
| 11 | b | Technical | |
| 1 | a | Technical | 8 |
| 12 | b | Business | |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MAXIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,”b”,D2:D7,A8) | 12
The criteria2 argument is A8. However, because A8 is empty, it is treated as 0 (zero). The cells in criteria_range2 that match 0 are D5 and D7. Finally, of the corresponding cells in max_range, A7 has the maximum value. The result is therefore 12. |
Example 5
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Weight | Grade |
| 10 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 100 | a |
| 1 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 1 | a |
| Formula | Result |
| =MAXIFS(A2:A5,B2:c6,”a”) | #VALUE!
Because the size and shape of the max_range and criteria_range aren’t the same, MAXIFS returns the #VALUE! error. |
Example 6
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 100 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 100 | a | Business | 200 |
| 1 | b | Technical | 300 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 1 | a | Business | 400 |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MAXIFS(A2:A6,B2:B6,”a”,D2:D6,”>200″) | 0
No cells match the criteria. |