The Excel MODE.MULT Function
MODE.SNGL & MODE.MULT Functions
The MODE.SNGL and the MODE.MULT functions both find the statistical mode (the most commonly occurring value (or values) from a supplied set of numbers).
The difference between the functions occurs when the supplied data set has more than one mode. In this case:
- The Mode.Sngl function returns the lowest mode;
- The Mode.Mult function returns an array of all of the modes.
Function Description
The Excel MODE.MULT function returns a vertical array of the statistical modes (the most frequently occurring values) within a list of supplied numbers.
The function is new in Excel 2010 and so is not available in earlier versions of Excel.
The syntax of the Mode.Mult function is:
MODE.MULT( number1, [number2], ... )
where the number arguments are up to 254 numeric values (or arrays of numeric values), for which you want to calculate the mode.
As the Mode.Mult function returns an array of values, it must be entered as an array formula. If the function is not entered as an array formula, only the first mode is returned, which is the same as using the MODE.SNGL function.
Array Formulas:
To input an array formula, you need to first highlight the range of cells for the function
result. Type your function into the first cell of the range, and press CTRL-SHIFT-Enter.
See the Excel Array Formulas page for further details.
Mode.Mult Function Example
Cells B1-B2 of the above spreadsheet on the right show the Mode.Mult function, used to return the modes of the values in cells A1-A10.
Clearly the data set has two modes, the values 3 and 5, and so the Mode.Mult function will return a vertical array containing these two values. It must therefore be entered as an array formula, into the vertical range of cells, B1-B2.
The curly brackets seen around the function in the formula bar, show that it has been entered as an array formula.
For further details and examples of the Excel Mode.Mult function, see the Microsoft Office website.
Mode.Mult Function Errors
If you get an error from the Excel Mode.Mult function this is likely to be one of the following:
Common Errors
| #N/A! | - | Occurs if there are no duplicates (and there is therefore no mode) within the supplied values. |
| #VALUE! | - |
Occurs if a value that is supplied directly to the function (i.e. that is not part of an array) is non-numeric. (Note that non-numeric functions that are part of an array of values are ignored by the Mode.Mult function). |