MAX
MAX(list)
Gives the largest value in a list, such as the latest finish among a task's predecessors, or the larger of two values. When there are no values it is blank, not 0, so a task with no predecessors gets an empty cell rather than a misleading zero.
Arguments
| Argument | What to give it |
|---|---|
| list | A column read from a set of rows, like Predecessors[Finish date], or several single values: MAX(0d, [Total float]). Numbers, durations, dates or text. Blanks are skipped. It also takes one level or date over time (see below). |
Examples
Formula=MAX(Predecessors[Finish date])
The latest finish among the task's predecessors: the earliest it could start after all of them.
Formula=MAX(0d, [Total float])
The task's total float, with negative float shown as 0d.
Measure (on the project)=MAX(Tasks[Finish date])
As a measure: the last finish in the schedule.
Formula on relationships=MAX([Lag], 0d)
On a relationship: its lag, with a lead counted as no lag.
Formula=MAX(HISTORY([Finish date]))
The latest the task's finish has been forecast at any update. MAX of one date or level over time gives its highest point.
Reach for something else when
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| The smallest value | MIN |
| The task that has the largest value, not the value | ARGMAX |
| A floor or a ceiling on one value | CLAMP |
| Where a value stands in the list | RANK |
Common questions
Why is MAX blank on some rows?
There were no values: the set was empty, or the column was blank on every row of it. To show a value instead, wrap it in COALESCE.
Do blanks count as 0?
No, they are skipped, with several single values too: MAX(0d, [Total float]) is 0d on a complete task, whose total float is blank, not blank itself.
Can I mix 0 with durations?
Yes. A bare number among durations is working days, so MAX(0, [Total float]) reads as MAX(0d, [Total float]). Dates and durations don't mix: "MAX gives Date in one place and Duration in another".
What does "MAX takes one list, or several single values" mean?
A list and a single value were mixed in one MAX.
The editor refuses this=MAX(Predecessors[Finish date], [Start date])
Take the list's MAX first, then compare: MAX(MAX(Predecessors[Finish date]), [Start date]).
How do I find a resource's peak?
Add its assignments up as a level over time, then take the MAX of that: the most they add up to at any moment. An amount, such as hours spread over a task, is refused with "An amount over time has no peak: add it up with TOTAL(…), or divide it by another amount for a rate (a level over time) and take its MAX". See amounts and levels.