Returning the most duplicated item

[Joe Lewis]

Let's say I have a column with a bunch of names in it, and I want a function
that will return the name that shows up the most often (the mode I guess).
How do I do that?

I know how to do it if the items are numerical data, but how do I do it with
text?

For example, suppose this is a column:

Smith
Johnson
Smith
Roberts
Johnson
Mulligan
Roberts
Smith
Williams
Williams
Smith

I want a function that will return "Smith" as the name that appears the most
often.

 

[T. Valko]

Assuming no empty cells.

Array entered** :

=INDEX(A1:A11,MODE(MATCH(A1:A11,A1:A11,0)))

** array formulas need to be entered using the key combination of
CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER (not just ENTER)

 

[Teethless mama]

=INDEX(A1:A11,MODE(INDEX(MATCH(A1:A11,A1:A11,),)))

Just press Enter