finding the cell adjacent to the max value in a row with formula

[NDBC]

I think I can find the column of the max value in a row using

=column(max(L5:iv5))

is there a way to select the value in the cell immediately to the left of
this cell, so column-1.

Thanks

 

[NDBC]

I just tried this formula

=column(max(L5:iv5))

and it doesn't even work

 

[Gary''s Student]

say L5 thru IV5 contains:

1 2 99 1 1 ................

so we want column M (column #13)

=COLUMN(L5)+MATCH(MAX(L5:IV5),L5:IV5,0)-2 displays 13

 

[NDBC]

Whilst your formula works perfectly for the question I asked (Gary I think
yours gives me the column number not the value of the cell contents) I just
realised it doesn't always solve my problem. Thank you for your responses
though. It keeps astounding me how little of excel I actually use.

I will explain my problem better. What I have is a range in L5 going right
consisting of lap time, place in race, next lap time, place in race etc. So
like this

0:32:23 3 1:00:12 2 1:32:14 1

What I am trying to determine using a formula in k5 is the last time in the
row, which will always be the max time and always 2nd column from the right
hand end. The number of laps completed can vary between races though so i
can't just refer to a set cell.

I'm sorry I wasted your time before but is there a way using formula I can
come up with the time value from the second last cell. In this example 1:32:14

Thanks again.

 

[NDBC]

I've worked it out. I have a lap counter and i use the number of laps to
determine column number in conjunction with index(). thanks

Whilst your formula works perfectly for the question I asked (Gary I think
yours gives me the column number not the value of the cell contents) I just
realised it doesn't always solve my problem. Thank you for your responses
though. It keeps astounding me how little of excel I actually use.

I will explain my problem better. What I have is a range in L5 going right
consisting of lap time, place in race, next lap time, place in race etc. So
like this

0:32:23 3 1:00:12 2 1:32:14 1

What I am trying to determine using a formula in k5 is the last time in the
row, which will always be the max time and always 2nd column from the right
hand end. The number of laps completed can vary between races though so i
can't just refer to a set cell.

I'm sorry I wasted your time before but is there a way using formula I can
come up with the time value from the second last cell. In this example 1:32:14

Thanks again.