MAX
Category: Math & numeric
Overview
The MAX function returns the maximum of matching values from two inputs. Both inputs must have either the same dimensionality or one input must be a number, in which case the result has the dimensionality of the other input.
Use this function when you need the row-wise maximum of two nodes or when you want to apply a lower threshold (floor) to a node.
Syntax
MAX('Node1', 'Node2')
Example usage: MAX('Revenue', 0)
Parameters
| Parameter | Description | Type | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Node1 | First input, specified using the node name in single quotes (e.g.'Revenue') or a number | Node reference or number | Yes |
| Node2 | Second input, specified using the node name in single quotes (e.g.'Threshold') or a number | Node reference or number | Yes |
Output Shape
| Aspect | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Dimensionality | Same as the input with levels. If one input is a constant (number), the result has the dimensionality of the other input. |
| Values | For each matching row, the higher of the two values is returned. |
| Row count | Same as input. |
Watch Out
- If both inputs have levels, they must have the same dimensionality. Unlike multiplication or division, MAX does not perform dimension union or intersection.
- One input can be a constant number (e.g.
0,100). In that case, the constant is compared against every row of the other input.
Examples
Row-wise maximum across two inputs
This example shows MAX applied both to two input nodes and to a node combined with a fixed numeric threshold.
Input node: A
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | -42 |
| 2027 | -17 |
Input node: B
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 41 |
| 2026 | 12 |
| 2027 | -25 |
Formula: MAX('A', 'B')
| Year | → MAX Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 41 |
| 2026 | 12 |
| 2027 | -17 |
Formula: MAX('A', 7)
| Year | → MAX Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 7 |
| 2027 | 7 |
Using MAX as a floor (clamp negative values to zero)
A common pattern: use MAX('Node', 0) to ensure no negative values appear in the result.
Input node: Margin
| Year | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | -8 |
| 2027 | 22 |
| 2028 | -3 |
Formula: MAX('Margin', 0)
| Year | -> MAX Result |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 0 |
| 2027 | 22 |
| 2028 | 0 |
Negative margins are replaced with 0. Positive margins are kept as-is.
Related Functions
| Function | When to use instead |
|---|---|
| MIN | When you need the row-wise minimum of two nodes or thresholds instead of the maximum. |
| ABS | When you need absolute values of one node rather than a comparison between two inputs. |