---
title: "max"
description: "Finds and returns the maximum value in the given column of the given dataset, or the max value in a series of numbers specified as arguments."
---

# max

> Finds and returns the maximum value in the given column of the given dataset, or the max value in a series of numbers specified as arguments.

**This function is used by Ignition's Expression language.**

## Description
Finds and returns the maximum value in the given column of the given dataset, or the max value in a series of numbers specified as arguments. When looking up the max in a dataset, the column may be specified as an index or as a column name.

This function expects the datatype of the column to be **numeric**: other datatypes, such as strings, will throw an exception.

Any null values in the column are ignored. If there are no rows in the dataset, null is returned.

## Syntax
`max(dataset, columnIndex)`

- Parameters

    - DataSet **dataset** - The dataset to search through.

    - int **columnIndex** - The index of the column to search through. Must be a column index of the provided dataset. Additionally, the datatype of the column must be numeric.

- Returns

    - int - The maximum value in that column.

## Syntax
`max(dataset, columnName)`

- Parameters

    - DataSet **dataset** - The dataset to search through.

    - string **columnName** - The name of the column to search through. Must match a column name in the provided dataset. Additionally, the datatype of the column must be numeric.

- Returns

    - int - The maximum value in that column.

## Syntax
`max(value[, value...])`

- Parameters

    - int/float **value** - A number. Can be as many values as needed. Can be either a float or an integer.

- Returns

    - int - The maximum value in the list of values.

## Examples
For example, suppose you had a table with this dataset in it:

| ProductCode |Quantity |Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BAN_002 |380 |3.243 |
| BAN_010 |120 |9.928 |
| APL_000 |125 |1.287 |
| FWL_220 |322 |7.889 |

```python title="Code Snippet"
max({Root Container.Table.data}, 1) //would return 380
```
```python title="Code Snippet"
max(0, 10/2, 3.14) //would return 5. You can also use this function to find the maximum in fixed series of numbers, specified as arguments
```
```python title="Code Snippet"
max({SomeValue}, 0) //The following example is a great way to make sure a value never goes below zero:
```