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DMAX In Excel

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Reviewed by Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Co-Founder & Course Director Dheeraj is the founder of ExcelMojo and leads the learning direction across Excel, analytics, financial modeling, valuation, and AI spreadsheet workflows. A former J.P. Morgan and CLSA equity... Financial Modeling Valuation Investment Banking View Full Bio
Updated Apr 23, 2026
Read Time 9 min

What Is DMAX Function In Excel?

The DMAX in Excel finds the largest number from a selected column/field in a database that satisfies the specified criterias. The function extracts the highest numeric value from a large database. The DMAX function in Excel is an inbuilt Database function, so we can insert the formula from the “Function Library” or enter it directly in the worksheet.

For example, the first table shows a database. It contains a list of fruits, grade, quantity, and cost details.

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We will determine the maximum quantity of a given fruit using the DMAX().

DMAX In Excel - 1

Select cell K4, enter the formula, and press “Enter”.

DMAX In Excel - 2

The result is ‘35’, as shown above.

[Output Observation: In cell K4, the function checks for the fruit Apple of Grade 1 in the given database. It finds two records for the Grade 1 Apples, rows 4 and 6. Next, the DMAX function returns the larger value between the two, 35, as the function output.]

Key Takeaways

  • The function DMAX in Excel checks the given field in a database for the largest numeric value based on the specified criteria.
  • Also, the DMAX() return value is always a numeric value.
  • The criteria argument will be numeric values, text, or expressions.
  • The DMAX function allows wildcard characters (‘?’, ‘*’) in the criteria argument. It helps in expanding the search options and achieving practical results. And the criteria argument can also be the entire database to decide the required largest numeric value.

DMAX() Excel Formula

DMAX() Excel Formula

The syntax of the DMAX Excel formula is:

DMAX In Excel - Formula Syntax

The arguments of the DMAX Excel formula are,

  • database: It is a mandatory argument.A range of cells containing related data with the first row showing each column label in the database.
  • field: It is a mandatory argument. The column to check in the database for the maximum numeric value based on the criteria specified.
  • criteria: It is a mandatory argument.The range of cells containing the conditions that decide the DMAX() output.

How To Use DMAX Excel Function?

We can use the DMAX Excel function in 2 ways, namely,

  1. Access from the Excel ribbon.
  2. Enter in the worksheet manually.

Method #1 – Access from the Excel ribbon

Choose an empty cell for the output → select the “Formulas” tab → click the “Insert Function” group, as shown below.

DMAX In Excel - Access from the Excel ribbon - Insert Function

The “Insert Function” window appears. Now, choose the “Database” option from the “select a category:” drop-down.

DMAX In Excel - Access from the Excel ribbon - Insert Function - 1

Then, select the “DMAX” function from the “Select a function:” group → and click “OK”, as shown below.

DMAX In Excel - Access from the Excel ribbon - Insert Function - 2

The “Function Arguments” window appears. Enter the arguments in the “Database”, “Field”, and “Criteria” fields → click “OK”, as shown below.

DMAX In Excel - Access from the Excel ribbon - Insert Function - 3

Method #2 – Enter in the worksheet manually

  1. Select the target cell for the output.
  2. Type =DMAX( in the cell, [Alternatively, type =D or =DM and select the DMAX() function from the Excel suggestions.
  3. Enter the arguments as cell values or cell references in excel and close the brackets.
  4. Press Enter to view the output.
Example

Let us understand this function with the help of basic example.

We will determine and display the maximum height among 11-year-old girls weighing more than 80 pounds in the given database.

  • The first table is the database containing a list of children in the age group of 10-13 years and their height-weight data.
  • Next, the second table shows the label of the column to check for the required maximum value.
  • The third one contains the criteria to decide the maximum value in the specified field.
How to use DMAX function in Excel - Basic Example

The steps to apply the DMAX function in Excel are,

  1. Select cell M4, and enter the formula =DMAX(A3:E15, i.e., the database with the headings.


    Basic Example - Step 1

  2. Enter the field value as “Height (cm)”. The formula now is =DMAX(A3:E15,”Height (cm)”,


    Basic Example - Step 2

  3. Enter the criteria as “I3:K4”, close the brackets, and press “Enter”. The complete formula =DMAX(A3:E15,”Height (cm)”,I3:K4). The result is 145, as shown below.


    [Note: Alternatively, we can use =DMAX(A3:E15,5,I3:K4) or =DMAX(A3:E15,G3,I3:K4)]

    Basic Example - Step 3

    [Alternatively, select cell M4 and Home → fx icon or press Shift + F3 to open the Insert Function window.

    Basic Example - Step 3a

    Otherwise, navigate Formulas → Insert Function to open the Insert Function window.

    Basic Example - Step 3b

    The “Insert Function” window appears.

    Basic Example - Step 3c

    Next, select the category as Database, select the DMAX function, and click OK.

    Basic Example - Step 3d

    Basic Example - Step 3e

    The above steps will open the Function Arguments window. Now, enter the three argument values as shown below.

    Basic Example - Step 3f

    And once we click OK, we will see the DMAX() executed in the target cell M4.]

    [Output Observation: In cell M4, the function checks the database for the female gender, age 11, and weight values greater than 80 pounds. Two rows, 7 and 9, satisfy the specified criteria. And out of the two rows, row 9 has a higher height value in cell E9, 145. And thus, the DMAX() returns 145 cm as the required maximum height value.]

Examples

We will understand some advanced examples using the DMAX in Excel examples.

Example #1

We will determine the maximum total order cost for a Dell laptop with an ordered quantity greater than ten and whose cost per unit is over $1,000 for the following data.

DMAX in Excel Function - Example 1

The steps to calculate using the DMAX() are,

  • Step 1: Select the cell range A3:E18 and go to Formulas → Define Name to open the New Name window.
Example 1 - Step 1
  • Step 2: Enter the name in the New Name window we require to assign to the cell range and click OK to close the window.
Example 1 - Step 2
  • Step 3: Select the target cell H10, and enter the DMAX formula in the following way.

Once we start typing the formula and enter the database cell range name, Excel will show the complete defined name for us to select.

Double-click the defined name, enter a comma, and then continue entering the remaining formula as =DMAX(Laptop_Order_Data,”Total Order Cost in USD”,I3:K4)

Example 1 - Step 3a
  • Step 4: Press Enter to view the DMAX() output.
Example 1 - Step 4

[Output Observation: The DMAX() accepts the database argument as a named range, Laptop_Order_Data. The field argument value is “Total Order Cost in USD”, and the criteria argument value is the cell range I3:K4.

Rows 12 and 16 meet the criteria, where the total order costs are $21,749.85 and $23,199.84. And out of the two, as row 16 has a higher total order cost, the DMAX() output is $23,199.84.]

Example #2

We will determine the maximum popularity value among the iPhone models with fame greater than 80% in the given database. The example also explains how to use the wildcard characters in DMAX in Excel.

  • The first table shows a database containing a list of smartphones, their fame, and popularity details.
  • Also, the output is a percentage value, we will set the target cell data format as Percentage.
DMAX in Excel Function - Example 2

The procedure to calculate the DMAX is,

Select cell J4, enter the formula=DMAX(A3:C11,”Popularity in %”,G3:H4), and press Enter.

Example 2 - Step 1

The result is ‘48%’, as shown below.

[Output Observation: The Smartphone criterion contains the wildcard character ‘*’, followed by the term, Phone. So, the DMAX() checks the database for smartphone models containing the term Phone in their names. Thus, it counts iPhone models with fame greater than 80%, which is the second criterion.

Rows 7 and 11 satisfy the criteria, where the popularity values are 48% and 39%.

Example #3

We will now see how the function DMAX in Excel works when the criteria argument is the entire database. We will determine the maximum population value based on the given database.

  • The first table shows data containing US cities’ population data.
  • Next, the second includes the field argument to check for the maximum population.
  • The third one indicates that the entire database is the criteria.
  • Also, the target cell J4 data format is Number (highlighted in the below image), the same as that of cells C4:C13.
DMAX in Excel Function - Example 3

The procedure to find the DMAX is,

Select cell J4, enter the formula and press Enter.

Example 3 - Step 1

The result is shown below.

[Output Observation: The DMAX() checks the entire database and looks for the record containing the maximum population in the Population field. Here, the criteria argument is the entire database. And hence we provide the criteria cell range is the same as the database cell range.

Important Things To Note

  • If the supplied field argument in DMAX in Excel is a column label, we can supply it directly in double quotes or as a cell reference to the column label. Otherwise, we can enter the value as the specific column position in the database.
  • Ensure the supplied database and criteria cell ranges contain the same column labels.
  • Ensure the criteria cell range contains at least one column label and a cell containing the required criterion below it. And to operate on an entire column in the given database, provide a blank line after the column labels in the criteria cell range.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there a DMAX function in Excel?

The DMAX function in Excel is available in the Database function in the Formulas tab.
We can go to Formulas → Insert Function to open the Insert Function window.

Next, set the option Database, pick the DMAX function, and click OK.

DMAX in Excel - FAQ 1 - 4

2. How to apply the DMAX function in Excel VBA?

We can apply the DMAX function in Excel VBA using the following method:

The steps are,

• 1: Use the Alt + F11 keys to open the VBA Editor.

• 2: Pick the required VBAProject and select the Module option under the Insert tab to open a module window, Module1.

• 3: Enter the VBA code, shown below, to apply the DMAX() in the target cell.

Sub DMAX_fn()

Dim ws As Worksheet
Set ws = Worksheets(“FAQ_2”)

ws.Range(“G10”) = Application.WorksheetFunction.DMax(ws.Range(“A3:D10”), “Duration (Days)”, ws.Range(“H3:J4”))

End Sub

• 4: Execute the code using the Run Sub/UserForm option in the top menu.

• 5: Open the active worksheet to check the target cell G10 for the required DMAX() output.

3. Why is the DMAX function not working in Excel?

• If the specified field to check for the largest value does not contain numeric values.
• The directly supplied column label as the field argument is not in double quotations, or the provided column position is incorrect.
• If the criteria argument is other than numeric values, text, or expressions.

Download FREE DMAX In Excel Template and Follow Along!

Use this DMAX In Excel Template to follow along with the examples in this article.

Download Excel Template