How to count max number of consecutive positive / negative numbers in Excel?

If you have a list of data which mix with positive and negative numbers, and now, you want to count the max number of consecutive positive and negative numbers as following screenshot shown, how could you deal with this task in Excel?

Count the max number of consecutive positive and negative numbers with array formulas

Count the max number of consecutive positive and negative numbers with array formulas

To get the max number of consecutive positive and negative numbers, please apply the following array formulas:

Count the max number of consecutive positive numbers:

Enter this formula into a cell where you want to get the result:

=MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(A2:A20>0,ROW(A2:A20)),IF(A2:A20<=0,ROW(A2:A20)))), and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together, and you will get the correct result as you need, see screenshot:

Count the max number of consecutive negative numbers:

Enter this formula into a cell where you want to get the result:

=MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(A2:A20<0,ROW(A2:A20)),IF(A2:A20>=0,ROW(A2:A20)))), and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys simultaneously, and you will get the result as you need, see screenshot:

Note: In the above formulas, A2:A20 is the list of cell range which you want to use.

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  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Pablo Nunez · 1 months ago
    I get an #Value output if there are only a streak of positive numbers only. Also, I get the same error, if there is only negative streak of numbers. It works fine when there are at least 1 positive and at least 1 negative number on the column. Does anybody knows how to fix this issue. I am using open office.Which uses the same commands, except for the " ; " instead of " , " as a separator.
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      skyyang · 1 months ago
      Hello, Pablo,
      The formulas work well in my wotksheet when there are a list of positive or negative numbers, do you press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together to get the result?

  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Adrien · 1 months ago
    Hello,

    Tank you for this post.
    I'm trying to get the average number of consecutive negative number from a row.
    I've been trying to do it myself but I can't figure it out.

    Would you mind helping me ?

    Thanks !
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Finansal Modeller · 2 months ago
    So, usefull context. I was jus making a video for my Youtube Channel. When i googeled some key word, i came across with your formula. First of all, thank you. And secondly i will give reference to this website for the formulas explanation. I have not so many subscriber, but it may give your website a littele bit more traffic. Thank you and have nice day.

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    Joan · 5 months ago
    Hi, thank you very much for the information! It's very useful :) I wondering if is posible to add up the Max Number of consecutive negatives? I will apreciate a lot if you can help me. Thank you!!
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      skyyang · 5 months ago
      Hi, Joan,
      To solve your problem, please do with the following array formula:

      Sum max number of consecutive positive numbers: (Note: D2 is the cell of the consecutive positive numbers you have counted by the using the formula in this article, please press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together)
      =MAX((COUNTIF(OFFSET(A2:A18,ROW(A2:A18)-ROW(A2),0,D2),">=0")=D2)*SUBTOTAL(9,OFFSET($A$2:$A$18,ROW(A2:A18)-ROW($A$2),0,D2)))

      Sum max number of consecutive negative numbers: (Note: E2 is the cell of the consecutive negative numbers you have counted by the using the formula in this article, please press Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys together)
      =MIN((COUNTIF(OFFSET(A2:A18,ROW(A2:A18)-ROW(A2),0,E2),"<0")=E2)*SUBTOTAL(9,OFFSET($A$2:$A$18,ROW(A2:A18)-ROW($A$2),0,E2)))

      Please try, hope it can help you!
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Abdul Latif · 9 months ago
    how do you count consecutive occurrences of two different values or numbers
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    Ryan · 1 years ago
    How do you do this with multiple rows? say A1:A10 and C1:C10 ???
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      skyyang · 1 years ago
      Hello, Ryan,
      Sorry for that, this formula is only applied to single column or row.
      If you have other good ideals, please comment here.
      Thank you!
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    Ivan · 1 years ago
    Not working! Gives the max number of positive results not consecutive ones
    • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
      skyyang · 1 years ago
      Hi, Ivan,
      The above formula only can help you to count the max number of the positive or negative numbers, it can't extract the consecutive cells.
      If you have the good ways, please comment here.
      Thank you！
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    Leandro · 2 years ago
    Excelente! Funcionou perfeitamente. E se quisermos somar os números de cada intervalo, como ficaria?
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    shailendra0509@gmail.com · 2 years ago
    I want the consecutive positive numbers from last cell of one column in which data is entered. I will have many column i.e. A,B,C,D,E,F etc
  • To post as a guest, your comment is unpublished.
    shailendra0509@gmail.com · 2 years ago
    I want the consecutive positive numbers from last of one column. I will have many column i.e. A,B,C,D,E,F etc