S,

You'll need to use a helper column of formulas.

Assuming that your list of names starts in cell A2 and continues down column A to cell A100, in cell
B2 use the formula

=IF(SUMPRODUCT((A2<$A$2:$A$100)*1)=0,"Highest","")

and copy down to cell B100.

Then use the formula

=INDEX(A:A,MATCH("Highest",B:B,FALSE))

to pull the name.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"S" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me. I've tried to use the max function but it
only seems to work with numbers.

Is it even possible to do what I want to do. I have a list of names and I
want to find Zachary for example as its the last name alphabetically in an
unsorted list of names.

I need to do this in a formula versus sorting.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks

S