Goody,

An array formula processes the arrays within its arguments.

Let's look at a case where B3 = 5, and the range is shorter (A2:A10) and has the numbers 2 to 10 in
it.

The first part returns an array of True and False Values, depending on if A2:A10 is less than B5:

{TRUE;TRUE;TRUE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALSE;FALS E}

The second part returns the values in A2 to A10

{2;3;4;5;6;7;8;9;10}

The two arrays are multiplied together

{2;3;4;0;0;0;0;0;0}

and MAX returns the maximum value - 4, in this example.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Goody" wrote in message
...
Bernie,

I can see that your solution works, but I don't understand the logic of it.
How does it work?

Goody

"Bernie Deitrick" wrote:

Goody,

Array enter (Enter using Ctrl-Shift-Enter) the formula

=MAX((A2:A100<B3)*A2:A100)

Where A2:A100 have your numbers, and B3 has the number of interest.....

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Goody" wrote in message
...
I have a column of number that are in an irregular sequence (e.g., 1, 1, 3,
6, 1, 7, 7, 7, 9). I need a formula that will determine the highest value in
the column that is less than the value in a given cell in that column. For
example, if I select a cell with the number 6 in it, I need to know what is
the highest number less than 6. I have tried RANK and LARGE, but I can't
figure out how to make them work. Any suggestions?