How to list all names tied for the highest value in Excel
Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)
=FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8))Filter for every row equal to the maximum: =FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8)). A normal lookup returns only the first.
- Result on the example
- a 3-row list that spills from D2 in
D2 - Works in
- Excel 2021, 2024 and Microsoft 365
- Google Sheets
- Same formula
See it work
The formula is already in D2. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.
How it works
MAX finds the top total, 47. B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8) is TRUE for every team on 47, and FILTER returns all of them: Foxes, Hawks and Wolves. INDEX/MATCH or XLOOKUP would stop at Foxes.
=FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8))Result{3 rows × 1 col} "Foxes", "Hawks", "Wolves"
A2:A87 rows × 1 col: "Owls", "Foxes", "Bears", "Hawks", …A range: 7 cells in one column.
B2:B87 rows × 1 col: 42, 47, 39, 47, …A range: 7 cells in one column.
MAX(B2:B8)47MAX: Largest number.- number1
B2:B87 rows × 1 col: 42, 47, 39, 47, …
- number1
B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8){7 rows × 1 col} FALSE, TRUE, FALSE, TRUE, …The = operator tests whether the two sides are equal.
FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8)){3 rows × 1 col} "Foxes", "Hawks", "Wolves"FILTER: Rows of a range that meet every condition. #N/A when none match.- range
A2:A87 rows × 1 col: "Owls", "Foxes", "Bears", "Hawks", … - condition1
B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8){7 rows × 1 col} FALSE, TRUE, FALSE, TRUE, …
- range
In Google Sheets
The same formula works in Google Sheets: =FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8)). We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results, spilling 3 rows.
Other ways to do it
Each one was run on the same example sheet.
| Formula | Result | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| =TEXTJOIN(", ",TRUE,FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MAX(B2:B8))) | Foxes, Hawks, WolvesDifferent result | All the leaders in one cell, separated by commas. One cell: "Foxes, Hawks, Wolves". |
| =INDEX(A2:A8,MATCH(MAX(B2:B8),B2:B8,0)) | FoxesDifferent result | Shown for contrast: a lookup returns only the first team on 47. Only Foxes. |
Common mistakes
- Values that look tied may differ in the decimals, like 46.999 and 47. Round both sides:
ROUND(B2:B8,2)=ROUND(MAX(B2:B8),2). - The cells below
D2must stay empty for the list to spill.
Try it yourself
Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.
List all names tied for the highest value
D2, list every team with the highest points total.Questions
How do I list the ties for the lowest value, like a golf score?
Use MIN: =FILTER(A2:A8,B2:B8=MIN(B2:B8)).
How do I count how many are tied?
Use =COUNTIF(B2:B8,MAX(B2:B8)).
Checked by running on 2026-10-30: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.