Find the Item with the Highest Value

Excel Formulas › Lookup

All versionsINDEX/MATCH

Which product sold the most? Which day was busiest? Combine MAX with INDEX/MATCH to return the label of the largest value, not just the value itself.

Quick formula: return the name with the highest score:
=INDEX(names, MATCH(MAX(scores), scores, 0))
MAX finds the top value; MATCH locates its row; INDEX returns the matching name. Swap MAX for MIN to find the lowest.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

INDEXMATCHMAX

The example

The top-selling product by value.

AB
1ProductSales
2Gizmo5,100 (max)
3Widget4,200

The formula

Return the label of the maximum:

=INDEX(names, MATCH(MAX(scores), scores, 0)) // name of the highest score

How it works

MAX picks the value; INDEX/MATCH returns its label:

  1. MAX(values) finds the largest number.
  2. MATCH(max, values, 0) finds the row where it appears.
  3. INDEX(labels, thatRow) returns the matching label.
  4. Use MIN instead of MAX for the smallest; add criteria with MAXIFS/array IF for “highest in a group.”

Highest within a group? Use MAXIFS for the value, then an INDEX/MATCH on two keys (group + value) for the label. In 365, sort and TAKE(SORTBY(labels, values, -1), 1) returns the top label cleanly.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Lines “name,value”; find the top.

Top:

Variations

Lowest instead

Swap MAX for MIN:

=INDEX(names, MATCH(MIN(vals), vals, 0))

Highest in a group

With MAXIFS:

=INDEX(names, MATCH(MAXIFS(vals,grp,g), vals, 0))

365 sort + take

Top label:

=TAKE(SORTBY(names, vals, -1), 1)

Pitfalls & errors

Ties return the first. If two items share the max, MATCH returns the earlier one. Add a tiebreaker if it matters.

Align the ranges. The labels and values ranges must cover the same rows.

MAX ignores text. Non-numeric cells are skipped — fine, but make sure your value column is numeric.

Practice workbook

📊
Download the free Find the Item with the Highest Value practice workbook
A find-the-top sheet with live INDEX/MATCH/MAX, the MIN, MAXIFS, and sort variants, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the name of the highest value in Excel?
Use =INDEX(labels, MATCH(MAX(values), values, 0)). MAX finds the top value, MATCH locates its row, and INDEX returns the matching label.
How do I find the item with the lowest value?
Swap MAX for MIN: =INDEX(labels, MATCH(MIN(values), values, 0)).
How do I find the top item within a group?
Use MAXIFS for the group's top value, then INDEX/MATCH on the group and value — or in 365, =TAKE(SORTBY(labels, values, -1), 1).

Stop fighting formulas. Learn them in a day.

This recipe is one of hundreds of real-world formulas we teach. Our Excel Formulas & Functions class covers lookups, logic, text, and dynamic arrays hands-on — live in Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Oklahoma City, Denver, or online.

See the Formulas & Functions Class

Related formulas: Highlight min & max · Nth largest value · Max if criteria

Function references: INDEX · MATCH · MAX