Syntax
TAKE(array, rows, [columns])
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| array | Parameter of the TAKE function. |
| rows | Parameter of the TAKE function. |
| [columns] | (Optional.) Parameter of the TAKE function. |
Examples
First 5 rows of a table
Formula
=TAKE(A1:D100, 5)
Returns rows 1-5 of the 4-column table. All columns are included.
Last 3 rows
Formula
=TAKE(A1:D100, -3)
Returns the last 3 rows of the table. Negative row count counts from the bottom.
Top-left corner: first 3 rows, first 2 columns
Formula
=TAKE(A1:F50, 3, 2)
Returns a 3x2 block from the top-left of the array. Use both arguments to slice in both dimensions.
Common Errors
#VALUE!
The rows or columns argument is zero (you must take at least 1 row or column, or use a negative number).
#CALC!
The absolute value of rows or columns exceeds the array dimensions.
Tips
Negative values take from the end
TAKE(data, -5) gets the last 5 rows. This is perfect for showing the most recent entries in a log or transaction list.
Combine with SORT for top N
=TAKE(SORT(A1:B100, 2, -1), 10) sorts by column 2 descending, then takes the top 10 rows — a leaderboard in one formula.
TAKE vs DROP
TAKE keeps the specified rows/columns; DROP removes them. They're complementary: TAKE(data, 3) and DROP(data, -N+3) give the same result if the math works out.
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