What does the MAX function do in a spreadsheet?

The MAX function in a spreadsheet is designed specifically to return the largest value from a given set of numbers. This function is particularly useful in data analysis when you need to quickly identify the highest value in a range, such as sales figures, test scores, or any numerical data set. By inputting a series of numbers or a range of cells into the MAX function, it efficiently scans through the data and outputs the maximum value.

The other choices do not align with the primary function of MAX. Counting cells or calculating sums involve different functions entirely, such as COUNTA or SUM, and manipulating text to display in uppercase pertains to text functions like UPPER. Thus, understanding that MAX solely focuses on identifying the largest number among its input reinforces its distinct purpose in data handling and analytics.