The Excel MODE function returns the most frequently occurring value in a set of numbers. It is a legacy function; Microsoft replaced it in Excel 2010 with MODE.SNGL, which behaves identically.
Syntax
| Argument | Description | |
|---|---|---|
number1 | Required | The first number, cell reference, or array for which you want the mode. |
number2, ... | Optional | Up to 254 additional numbers or ranges to include. |
How to use it
MODE scans your numbers and returns the one that appears most often. When several values tie for most frequent, it returns the first one in the data; if no value repeats, it returns the #N/A error.
Text and empty cells inside a referenced range are ignored. MODE returns only a single value; to list all modes of a multi-modal dataset, use the modern array function MODE.MULT.
Use MODE.SNGL in Excel 2010 and later. MODE still works for backward compatibility, but Microsoft recommends MODE.SNGL (single mode) — it is identical to MODE — or MODE.MULT when you need every tied mode.
Try it: interactive demo
Pick a MODE example to see the formula and its result.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Should I use MODE or MODE.SNGL?
MODE.SNGL in Excel 2010 or later — it returns the same single most-frequent value and is the supported function. MODE is kept only so older workbooks keep working.What does MODE return when there is a tie?
MODE.MULT.What if no number repeats?
#N/A error. Make sure your data actually contains repeats before relying on it.Does MODE ignore text and blanks?
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