» Find the maximum numerical value in a list based on a criteria in Microsoft Excel

The following values appear in cells A1:A8

A1	A 0.573
A2	N 0.580
A3	N 0.578
A4	X 0.525
A5	Y 0.581
A6	A 0.612
A7	Y 0.556
A8	X 0.551

To find the maximum numerical number in the range which the first character starts with Y, perform the following steps:

1. Select column A
2. From the data menu choose Text to Columns
3. At step 1 of 3 select Delimited then press Next
4. At step 2 of 3 select Space, and press Next
5. At step 3 of 3 press finish

The Result

column A	column B
A	0.573
N	0.580
N	0.578
X	0.525
Y	0.581
A	0.612
Y	0.556
X	0.551

Enter the following criteria in cell C1: Y

Enter the formula in cell D1: {=MAX((A1:A8=C1)*(B1:B8))}

The result = 0.581


Please note: The formula is an Array Formula, after entering the formula in the cell, press F2 and than press Ctrl+Shift+Enter