Excel - Array formula with gap

Question

Currently I have this formula working fine as an array formula, to determine the maximum from the differences between values of 2 arrays:

{=MAX(ABS(D3:N3-AW3:BG3))}

I am trying to exclude one pair of values from the middle of both arrays (cells L3 and BE3 respectively). This does not work:

{=MAX(ABS(D3:K3;M3:N3-AW3:BD3;BF3:BG3))}

I am getting the "too many arguments"error; the error does make sense from the ABS function's perspective - as the semicolon is argument separator. But how can one work with gaps in the arrays (ie - non-adjacent cells) ?

Answer 1

Instead of using ';' you can use ':'. The below formula would work for you.

{=MAX(ABS(D3:K3-AW3:BD3), ABS(M3:N3-BF3:BG3))}

Answer 2

Array formula**

=MAX(ABS(D3:K3-AW3:BD3);ABS(M3:N3-BF3:BG3))

Regards