I am looking for the biggest absolute number in a range.
For example:
-20
3
50
40
I hope to get 20 as a result

I tried max(ABS(D2:D5)) but that does not work.
Of course I can use an intermedite range and fiirst convert all my data to
ABS then do a max - but I hope there is another way.

Many thanks.

Dan

Dan,

Use your formuala, but enter it using Ctrl-Shift-Enter. And you really should hope to get 50.

But if you really want 20, then perhaps

=ABS(MIN(D2:D5))

entered as a regular formula?

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Dan" wrote in message
...
I am looking for the biggest absolute number in a range.
For example:
-20
3
50
40
I hope to get 20 as a result

I tried max(ABS(D2:D5)) but that does not work.
Of course I can use an intermedite range and fiirst convert all my data to
ABS then do a max - but I hope there is another way.

Many thanks.

Dan

As Bernie said, you could use your formula provided you entered it using
Cntl+Shift+Enter instead of just Enter. If you want a formula that only uses
Enter (so you won't worry about forgetting the Cntl+Shift+Enter requirement
in future editing sessions), you could give this formula a try..

=MAX(MAX(D2:D5),-MIN(D2:D5))

Rick


"Dan" wrote in message
...
I am looking for the biggest absolute number in a range.
For example:
-20
3
50
40
I hope to get 20 as a result

I tried max(ABS(D2:D5)) but that does not work.
Of course I can use an intermedite range and fiirst convert all my data to
ABS then do a max - but I hope there is another way.

Many thanks.

Dan