Excel MIN Function
Summary
The Excel MIN function returns the smallest numeric value in a range of values. The MIN function ignores empty cells, the logical values TRUE and FALSE, and text values.
Purpose
Get the smallest value.
Return value
The smallest value in the array.
Syntax
=MIN (number1, [number2], ...)
Arguments
- number1 - Number, reference to numeric value, or range that contains numeric values.
- number2 - [optional] Number, reference to numeric value, or range that contains numeric values.
Usage notes
The MIN function can be used to return the smallest value from a set of data. For example, the fastest time in a race, the lowest temperature, or the smallest sales number. Arguments can be provided as constants, or as cell references or ranges, for example:
Notes:
- The MIN function ignores empty cells.
- The MIN function in current versions of Excel accepts up to 255 arguments. If arguments contain no numbers, MIN returns 0.
- Arguments can be provided as numbers, names, arrays, or references that contain numbers.
- The MIN function ignores TRUE and FALSE values, and numbers entered as text, unless they are typed directly into the list of arguments.
- To include logical values in a reference, see the MINA function.
MIN formula examples
To get the smaller, or lesser, of two values, you can use the MIN function. In the example shown, the formula in D5 is:
=MIN(B5,C5)
How this formula works
The MIN function is fully automatic - it returns the...
You can get the first column (i.e. the starting column number) in a range with a formula based on the COLUMN function.
In the example shown, the formula in cell F5 is:
=MIN(COLUMN(data))
where data is a named range...
To get the minimum value in a data set using multiple criteria (i.e. to get MIN IF), you can use and array formula based on the MIN and IF functions. In the example shown the formula in I6 is:
{=MIN(IF(color=G6,IF(...
To get a minimum value based on criteria, you can use the MIN function together with the IF function. In the example shown, the formula in cell G6 is:
{=MIN(IF(names=F6,times))}
Where "names" is the named range B6:...
To calculate a percentage based value capped at a specific amount, you can use the MIN function.
In the example shown, the formula in D6 is:
=MIN(C6*10%,1000)
How this formula works
This formula takes advantage of...
To test if a numeric value falls between two numbers, you can use the AND function with two logical tests. In the example shown, the formula in E5 is:
=AND(D5>MIN(B5,C5),D5<MAX(B5,C5))
How this formula works...
To separate text and numbers, you can use a formula based on the FIND function, the MIN function, and the LEN function with the LEFT or RIGHT function, depending on whether you want to extract the text or the number. In...
To calculate the number of days that overlap in two date ranges, you can use basic date arithmetic, together with the the MIN and MAX functions.
In the example shown, the formula in D6 is:
=MAX(MIN(end,C6)-MAX(start,...
You can get the last row in a range with a formula based on the ROW function.
In the example shown, the formula in cell F5 is:
=MIN(ROW(data))+ROWS(data)-1
where data is a named range for B5:D10
How this formula...
You can get the first row (i.e. the starting row number) in a range with a formula based on the ROW function.
In the example shown, the formula in cell F5 is:
=MIN(ROW(data))
where data is a named range for B5:D10...
To get the position of the nth match (for example, the 2nd matching value, the 3rd matching value, etc.), you can use a formula based on the SMALL function. In the example shown, the formula in G5 is:
=SMALL(IF(list=...
To lookup information associated with the lowest value in table, you can use a formula based on INDEX, MATCH, and MIN functions.
In the example shown, a formula is used to identify the name of the contractor with the...
To calculate overtime and pay associated with overtime, you can use the formulas explained on this page. In formula in cell I5 is:
=(F5*H5)+(G5*H5*1.5)
How this formula works
Note: it's important to understand that...
To get the next scheduled event from a list of events with dates, you can use an array formula based on the MIN and TODAY functions to find the next date, and INDEX and MATCH to display the event on that date. In the...
To find the closest match with a lookup value and numeric data, you can use an array formula based the INDEX, MATCH, ABS and MIN functions. In the example shown, the formula in E5 is:
{=INDEX(data,MATCH(MIN(ABS(data-...
Related videos
The data labels in Excel charts are flexible and powerful. While you can easily use them to display values from source data, you can also display values from other cells. The video below shows how to leverage this feature to dynamically display the minimum and maximum value in the data, using formulas.
In this video, we look at how to build a chart that automatically includes new data, and dynamically highlights the top and bottom values. This is an easy way to create an interactive chart for dashboards and other reports.
Related functions
Good links
