Description
Gets the maximum value in the specified column.
Syntax
Max ( column { FOR range { DISTINCT { expres1 {, expres2 {, ... } } } } } )
|
Argument |
Description |
|---|---|
|
column |
The column for which you want the maximum value. Column can be the column name or the column number preceded by a pound sign (#). Column can also be an expression that includes a reference to the column. The datatype of column must be numeric. |
|
FOR range (optional) |
The data that will be included when the maximum value is found. For most presentation styles, values for range are:
For Crosstabs, specify CROSSTAB for range:
For Graph and OLE objects, specify one of the following:
|
|
DISTINCT (optional) |
Causes Max to consider only the distinct values in column when determining the largest value. For a value of column, the first row found with the value is used and other rows that have the same value are ignored. |
|
expresn (optional) |
One or more expressions that you want to evaluate to determine distinct rows. Expresn can be the name of a column, a function, or an expression. |
Return value
The datatype of the column. Returns the maximum value in the rows of column. If you specify range, Max returns the maximum value in column in range.
Usage
If you specify range, Max determines the maximum value in column in range. If you specify DISTINCT, Max returns the maximum distinct value in column, or if you specify expresn, the maximum distinct value in column where the value of expresn is distinct.
For graphs and OLE objects, you do not select the range when you call the function. The range has already been determined by the Rows setting on the Data property page (the Range property), and the aggregation function uses that range. Settings for Rows include the following:
-
For the Graph or OLE presentation style, Rows is always All.
-
For Graph controls, Rows can be All, Page, or Group.
-
For OLE controls, Rows can be All, Current Row, Page, or Group. The available choices depend on the layer the control occupies.
Null values are ignored and are not considered in determining the maximum.
Not in validation rules or filter expressions
You cannot use this or other aggregate functions in validation rules or filter expressions.
Using an aggregate function cancels the effect of setting Retrieve Rows As Needed in the painter. To do the aggregation, a DataWindow object always retrieves all rows.
Examples
This expression returns the maximum of the values in the age column on the page:
Max(age for page)
This expression returns the maximum of the values in column 3 on the page:
Max(#3 for page)
This expression returns the maximum of the values in the column named age in group 1:
Max(age for group 1)
Assuming a DataWindow object displays the order number, amount, and line items for each order, this computed field returns the maximum of the order amount for the distinct order numbers:
Max(order_amt for all DISTINCT order_nbr)
See also
Max in the section called “Max” in PowerScript Reference
