Invoking...

=LOOKUP(MAX(A:A)+1,A:A)

instead of

=LOOKUP(BigNumber,A:A)

introduces an unnecessary performance loss. Recall that MAX has to
examine every cell to produce a reference-dependent big number, while
9.99999999999999E+307 practically guarantees what is needed so that we
get we want (the last numerical value) in a few steps.

Biff wrote:
Hi!

Good question.

Here's a bone of contention I have when I see these types
of formulas.

Say for example that you know for certain that the
absolute largest number that could possibly in your range
is 100. It's not possible for a value greater than 100 to
be in your range of values. So, why use this formula:

=LOOKUP(9.99999999999999+307,A:A)

when this formula will do:

=LOOKUP(101,A:A)

or even this:

=LOOKUP(MAX(A:A)+1,A:A)

When the average user see's that number,
9.99999999999999+307, they freak out!

And yes, I know why *some* use that large a number!

Biff


-----Original Message-----
Hello Excel users and experts,

Is there any significant difference in these formulas

that return the last

value in the column.

=LOOKUP(9.99999999999999+307,A:A)
=LOOKUP(9.99999999999999E+307,A:A)
=LOOKUP(9.999+307,A:A)
=LOOKUP(9.999E+307,A:A)

Why use fourteen 9's past the decimal point, either with

or without the E

when three 9's with or without the E works just as well?

Thanks
Howard


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