Hi,

Assume that your data in in range A2:A20000 (the heading is in A2). In B3,
type =countif(A$3:A20000,A3) and copy till B20000. In B2, type condition.
In E2, type condition and in E3, type =max(B3:B20000)

Select cell G2 and go to Data Advanced Filter Copy to another location.
In list range, select A2:B20000. In criteria range, select E2:E3. In Copy,
select G2. Check the box for unique records only. Click on OK

This should get you the desired result.

Please note that if the data changed, you will have to rerun the advanced
filter.

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Regards,

Ashish Mathur
Microsoft Excel MVP
www.ashishmathur.com

"Brymor" wrote in message
...
Using Office 2003.
In my weatherstation data, [very long listings over 12 months x 4
readings
per day ], the wind's direction changes are listed as:-
NORTH, NE,SE,SE,EAST,ENE,WSW,SOUTH,SE,EAST, NW, WNW, and so on.
I would like to find a formula that will tell me the most prolific word in
the column list.
I hope that someone can help me here.
Thanks and kind regards,

Brymor