reducing files: multiple rows per individual

I have a file containing student information over multiple semesters. Each student/semester combination represents one row, so each student has from 1 to ~10 entries. Each row also contains a value for (e.g.) gpa. I need to determine the maximum gpa for each student and remove all rows containing any non-maximum gpa values.

Here's a pretty quick way to get what you're looking for.

I would sort your data first by Name, then by GPA descendingly.

Then, add a column and throw in a simple IF statement. Let's assume the student name is the A column and you have a header row.

=if(a2<>a1,"Keep","Delete")

Copy that column, Paste as Values and delete all the rows that are listed as Delete.