So you've finally organized your numbers in a tidy Excel spreadsheet to analyze them. But do you have to go through all of it to find the largest and smallest values? Not with Excel! You can distinguish these values without breaking a sweat.

There are multiple ways to find the smallest and largest values in an Excel series. You can sort your table so that the smallest or largest value shows up on top, or you could use the MIN and MAX functions to output them separately.

How to Find the Largest or Smallest Number in Excel

You can sort your data from largest to smallest so that the largest value shows on top. Excel has a Sort & Filter feature, which is useful for scenarios like this.

A data table in random order in Excel

In this scenario, we have the names and grades of some students. We're going to use the Sort & Filter feature to find out which student has the highest grade. Here's how:

  1. Select the entire data table.
  2. In the Home tab, go to the Editing section on the far right.
  3. Click Sort & Filter and then select Custom Sort.
  4. In the Sort window, click the list in front of Sort by.
  5. Select the column you want to sort the data by. That's Grades in this example.
  6. Leave Sort On to Cell Values.
  7. Select the sorting order you want under Order. We're going with Largest to Smallest.
  8. Click OK.
Sorting data in Excel

If your data table doesn't have headers (like Name, or Grade) then make sure to uncheck My data has headers in the sort window.

Now that your data is sorted, you can easily see who has scored the highest grade. The process is the same for finding the smallest value. You need only set the sort order to Smallest to Largest so that the smallest value shows on top.

A data table sorted from largest to smallest in Excel

Using Sort & Filter in Excel alters your data table, but the good thing about it is that not only can you see the smallest or largest value quickly columns related to it. You can use the SORT function in Excel to make a sorted copy of your data table.

How to Output the Largest or Smallest Number in Excel

Alternatively, if you're looking to simply output the largest and smallest values in an Excel series, you can use the MIN and MAX functions. These two single-purpose functions take in a set of values and then output the smallest or largest value, respectively.

        =MIN(value1, value2, ...)
    
        =MAX(value1, value2, ...)
    

MIN and MAX are mathematical functions and only deal with numbers. If a cell in your range has text in it, MIN and MAX will ignore it.

A data table awaiting MIN and MAX functions in Excel

So, suppose that you want to output the highest and lowest grades in the same spreadsheet. Here's how you can do that in Excel:

  1. Select the cell where you want to output the smallest number.
  2. In the formula bar, enter the formula below:
            =MIN(B2:B11)
        
  3. Press Enter.
Using MIN to output the smallest value in Excel

This formula calls on MIN to output the smallest number in B2 to B11. That's where the student grades are, so MIN will output the lowest grade. Now to get the largest number:

  1. Select the cell where you want to output the largest number.
  2. Go to the formula bar and enter the formula below:
            =MAX(B2:B11)
        
  3. Press Enter.
Outputting the largest value with MAX in Excel

This formula is similar to the previous one, except that it calls on MAX to find the largest value. MIN and MAX merely output the value itself, so these functions won't tell you which students have acquired the lowest or highest grades.

On the other hand, since they are functions, you can combine them with other Excel functions to automate complex calculations.

Easily Find Out the Largest and Smallest Value in Excel

You don't need to personally go through a list in Excel to find out the largest and smallest value. In fact, there are numerous methods you can deploy to easily find these values. From using functions to simply clicking on Sort & Filter, Excel has something for everyone.

Through Sort & Filter, you can quickly sort your data table from the largest value to the smallest or vice versa. This way, your table's order will change so that you can easily recognize the smallest and largest values.

MIN and MAX are two simple functions that output the smallest and largest values in a series, respectively. These functions output the value separately, and won't include adjacent cells. Now that you know two methods to find the values you're looking for, it's time to try them out for yourself and see who's the biggest or smallest on your list!