Excel TAKE function
Keeps the first (or last) rows or columns of a range. In Spanish Excel it is called TOMAR.
Syntax
English Excel
=TAKE(array, rows, [columns])
Spanish Excel (Mexico)
=TOMAR(matriz, filas, [columnas])
Spanish Excel (Spain, Latin America)
=TOMAR(matriz; filas; [columnas])
| Argument | What it is |
|---|---|
| array | The range or result. |
| rows | How many rows; negative to take from the end. |
| columnsoptional | How many columns. |
Example
TAKE(range, rows) keeps the first rows of a result (or the last ones, with a negative number). With SORT it makes a top N that updates itself.
=TAKE(SORT(A2:B9,2,-1),3)
Common mistake
Excel 365 only. With SORT it makes an automatic top N: TAKE(SORT(…,2,-1),3).
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Practice TAKE
Type the formula in the sheet and check it instantly. Spanish or English function names both work. See all lessons
Top 3 with TAKE
TAKE(range, rows) keeps the first rows of a result (or the last ones, with a negative number). With SORT it makes a top N that updates itself.
In D2, show the top 3 salespeople with their sales, highest first.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salesperson | Sales | Top 3 | |||
| 2 | Carmen | 48,200 | ||||
| 3 | Jorge | 35,900 | ||||
| 4 | Lucía | 61,750 | ||||
| 5 | Andrés | 29,400 | ||||
| 6 | Paola | 52,300 | ||||
| 7 | Ricardo | 44,100 | ||||
| 8 | Elena | 38,650 | ||||
| 9 | Mateo | 57,900 | ||||
| 10 |
Tip: while typing, click a cell or drag across several to insert their reference.
Frequently asked questions
- What is TAKE called in Spanish?
- In Spanish Excel it is TOMAR. The formula =TAKE(SORT(A2:B9,2,-1),3) is written =TOMAR(ORDENAR(A2:B9;2;-1);3) (or with commas in Mexico).
- Why does TAKE use semicolons in some Excel versions?
- It depends on regional settings. Where the comma is the decimal mark (Spain, much of South America), Excel separates arguments with semicolons. English Excel and Mexican Spanish Excel use commas.
- What is the most common TAKE mistake?
- Excel 365 only. With SORT it makes an automatic top N: TAKE(SORT(…,2,-1),3).