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In this article
TAKE returns the first (or last, with a negative number) rows or columns of an array — perfect for top-N reports.
Syntax
=TAKE(array, rows, [columns])| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
rows |
Positive = from the top, negative = from the bottom. |
Examples
Example 1
=TAKE(SORT(A2:E500, 5, -1), 10)Top 10 rows by amount.
Example 2
=TAKE(A2:E500, -5)Last 5 rows — the latest entries.
TAKE in practice
Where you will use it
- First or last N rows
- Top 5 after SORT
- Latest records
Worked example
| Rows | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TAKE({"Apr",100;"May",120;"Jun",150},A2)) | Apr, 100, May, 120 |
| -1 | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TAKE({"Apr",100;"May",120;"Jun",150},A3)) | Jun, 150 |
| 1 | =ARRAYTOTEXT(TAKE({"Apr",100;"May",120;"Jun",150},A4)) | Apr, 100 |
Results calculated in Excel.
Mistakes people make
| Mistake | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Negative | Takes from the end |
| Zero | #CALC! |
Related functions
DROP · SORT · CHOOSEROWS
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📎 Practice files for this article
- 📗Practice workbook: Dynamic arrays18 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.⬇ XLSX · 35 KB
Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.
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