Generally, we can apply the MODE function (=MODE(A1:A16)) to find the most common number from a range. But this MODE function does not work with text strings. To extract the most occurring value, you can apply the following array formula. Please do as this:

In a blank cell besides the data, enter below formula, and press Shift + Ctrl + Enter keys together.

=INDEX($A$1:$A$16,MODE(MATCH($A$1:$A$16,$A$1:$A$16,0)))

Formula is too complicated to remember? Save the formula as an Auto Text entry for reusing with only one click in future! Read more…     Free trial

Easily sort by frequency of occurrences in Excel

Kutools for Excel's Advanced Sort utility supports sorting data by text length, last name, absolute value, frequency, etc. in Excel quickly.

With the following VBA code, you can not only find the most occurring value, but also count the number of times for the most common word.

1. Hold down the ALT + F11 keys, and it opens the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Click Insert > Module, and paste the following code in the Module Window.

VBA code: Find the most common value from a list

Sub FindFrequency()
'Update 20140326
Dim Rng As Range
Dim WorkRng As Range
Set dic = CreateObject("scripting.dictionary")
On Error Resume Next
xTitleId = "KutoolsforExcel"
Set WorkRng = Application.Selection
Set WorkRng = Application.InputBox("Range", xTitleId, WorkRng.Address, Type:=8)
xMax = 0
xOutValue = ""
For Each Rng In WorkRng
    xValue = Rng.Value
    If xValue <> "" Then
        dic(xValue) = dic(xValue) + 1
        xCount = dic(xValue)
        If xCount > xMax Then
            xMax = xCount
            xOutValue = xValue
        End If
    End If
Next
MsgBox "The most common value is: " & xOutValue & " Appeared " & xMax & " Times"
End Sub

3. Then press F5 key to run this code, and a prompt box will pop out to remind you to select the range that you want to use. See screenshot:

4. And then click OK, you will get a prompt box which displays the following information:

If you have Kutools for Excel installed, you can easily apply its Find most comma value formula to quickly get the most frequent value from a list or column in Excel.

1. Select a blank cell you will place the found value into, and click Kutools > Formula Helper> Formula Helper.

2. In the Formula Helper dialog box, choose Lookup from the Formula Type drop-down list, click to select Find most common value in the Choose a formula list box, specify the list/column in the Range box, and click the Ok button. See screenshot:

And then you will see the most common/frequent value have been found and placed into the selected cell. See screenshot: