Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=MIN(number1,[number2],...)
  • 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.

Using the MIN function

The MIN function returns the smallest numeric value in the data provided. The MIN function can be used to return the smallest value from any type of numeric data. For example, MIN can return the fastest time in a race, the earliest date, the smallest percentage, the lowest temperature, or the bottom sales number.

The MIN function takes multiple arguments in the form number1 , number2 , number3 , etc. up to 255 total. Arguments can be a hardcoded constant, a cell reference , or a range , in any combination. MIN ignores empty cells, text values , and the logical values TRUE and FALSE.

Basic example

The MIN function returns the smallest numeric value in supplied data:

=MIN(12,17,25,11,23) // returns 11

When given a range , MIN returns the smallest value in the range:

=MIN(A1:A10) // minimum value in A1:A10

Mixed arguments

The MIN function can accept a mix of arguments:

=MIN(5,10)
=MIN(A1,A2,A3)
=MIN(A1:A10,1)
=MIN(A1:A10,C1:C10)

Logical values

The MIN function will ignore logical values and numbers entered as text that appear on the worksheet. However, if such values are provided directly as arguments , MIN will use them:

=MIN(5,TRUE) // returns 1
=MIN(7,5,"3") // returns 3

Errors

When MIN encounters an error in a range, it will return an error. To calculate a minimum value while ignoring errors, you can use the AGGREGATE function , which can be configured to ignore errors.

Other functions

Excel provides other functions that deal with minimum values and rank:

  • To calculate the minimum value with criteria, use the MINIFS function .
  • To retrieve the nth smallest value in a data set, use the SMALL function .
  • To determine the rank of a number in a set of data, use the RANK function .

Notes

  • Arguments can be provided as numbers, names, arrays, or references.
  • MIN accepts up to 255 arguments. If arguments contain no numbers, MIN returns 0.
  • MIN ignores empty cells, text values, and TRUE and FALSE in references.
  • MIN will evaluate numbers as text and logical values supplied directly as arguments.
  • To include logical values in a reference, see the MINA function .

Purpose

Return value

Syntax

=MINA(value1,[value2],...)
  • value1 - Number, reference to numeric value, or range that contains numeric values.
  • value2 - [optional] Number, reference to numeric value, or range that contains numeric values.

Using the MINA function

The MINA function returns the smallest numeric value in a range of values. Like the MIN function , MINA ignores empty cells. However, unlike the MIN function, MINA evaluates the logical values TRUE and FALSE as 1 and 0, and evaluates text as zero when these values appear in a range or cell reference.

The MINA function takes multiple arguments in the form number1 , number2 , number3 , etc. up to 255 total. Arguments can be a hardcoded constant, a cell reference, or a range, in any combination.

Examples

Like the MIN function , the MINA function returns the smallest number in the supplied data:

=MIN(12,17,25,11,23) // returns 11
=MINA(12,17,25,11,23) // returns 11

MINA can be used with constants, cell references, or ranges:

=MINA(5,10)
=MINA(A1,A2,A3)
=MINA(A1:A10)

MINA vs. MIN

The primary difference between MIN and MINA is that MINA evaluates TRUE and FALSE values as 1 and 0, and text values as zero when these values appear in a range or in a cell reference. You can see this behavior in the range I8:I12 of the example shown. While the MIN function ignores the logical and text values completely, the MINA function includes these values when calculating a minimum value.

Note that MIN and MINA both evaluate numbers as text when supplied directly as arguments:

=MINA(5,"3") // returns 3
=MIN(5,"3") // returns 3

Notes

  • MINA ignores empty cells, but evaluates logical values and text values.
  • Arguments can be provided as numbers, names, arrays, or references.
  • If arguments contain no numeric values, MINA returns 0.
  • To ignore logical values and text, see the MIN function .