Where dates (B5:B15) and values (C5:C15) are named ranges. Note: this is an array formula and must be entered with Control + Shift + Enter. This results in an array like this: which is then compared to the text in F4, “Mon”. The result is another array, which contains only TRUE and FALSE values: Note each TRUE corresponds to a Monday. This array is returned inside the IF function as the logical test. It acts as a filter to screen out values on other days of the week. The final result from IF, which is returned directly to the MAX function, looks like this: MAX automatically ignores FALSE values and returns the highest remaining value, 94.
With AGGREGATE
For a slighly more geeky formula that doesn’t require control + shift + enter, you can use the AGGREGATE function like this: This is the formula used in cell F6 in the example shown. Here we give AGGREGATE 14 for the function argument (LARGE) and 6 for option argument (ignore errors). Then we build a logical expression using the TEXT function to check all dates for Mondays. The result of this operation is is an array of TRUE/FALSE values, which become the denominator of the original values. When used in a math operation, FALSE evaluates as zero, and throws a #DIV/0! error. TRUE evaluates as 1 and returns the original value. The final array of values and errors acts like a filter. AGGREGATE ignores all errors and returns the largest (maximum) of the surviving values.
MAXIFS
The MAXIFS function, available in Excel Office 365, can return a max value using on one or more criteria without the need for an array formula. However, MAXIFS is a ranged-based function, and won’t allow other functions like TEXT to process values in criteria ranges. You could however add a helper column to the data, generate weekday values with TEXT, then use MAXIFS with the helper column as a criteria range.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
