no, it's not obvious; what exactly are you trying to achieve?

It does not appear to me that you understand what the output of LARGE() is.

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It looks like you want to highlight the maximum value in the range.
Try "Format only top or bottom ranked values", and use 1 for the ranking.

First select the data range in column B.

Open the CF Wizard and enter this formula & formatting spec...

=MAX(B$5:B$26)=B5

Skip,

_{Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!}

Taking the responses in turn.

IRstuff
If it is not obvious then I will spell it out for you.
I want to shade the background of the column cell containing the maximum value.
Other people have certainly got the idea.

Reference http://www.techonthenet.com/excel/formulas/large.p...
The Microsoft Excel LARGE function returns the nth largest value from a set of values.
I use the function a lot and it has always given me the correct and expected result.

The text in the rule window states "Format values when this formula is true".
I see "=LARGE(B5:B26,1)" as a formula, so when it is true for the cell over the selected range of "Applies to" B5:B26, why is the cell not shaded?
Typical Microsoft unclear screen text information?

What is your understanding of the text? Something different I guess.


IFRs
You are suggesting another possible method?
I was more interested why the two methods I show do not work.
Your suggestion does work for the 1st highest value only which is what I used as my example.
Using LARGE() I have the option of the 2nd highest value, which was my final goal but was not indicated.


SkipVought
You are also suggesting another possible method?
Your suggestion does work. The dollar signs are critical and a comparison must be made.
Using "LARGE(B$5:B$26,1)" is the equivalent of "MAX(B$5:B$26)".



I think I can now see the reason why "=LARGE(B5:B26,1)" does not work as the rule child window text would suggest. It is not a comparison leading to true or false result.

I have attached a new Excel file so that you may see the results.
You have all helped me to pretty much understand what is going on.
Thank you all.

• http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=c29ed9bd-2329-4fa0-a59f-02

It was not obvious to me that you were looking for the second highest values in the range. But using =LARGE(B$5:B$26,2)=B5 will accomplish that. And the range formula must be made to fix the rows as you pointed out.

Skip,

_{Just traded in my OLD subtlety...
for a NUance!}