MIN
The MIN function returns the smallest value in a set of numbers.
It is useful for analyzing data, especially in financial reports or statistical studies, when you need to determine the smallest value in a group of numbers.
Syntax
MIN(value1, [value2, ...])
| Argument | Description | Permitted values |
|---|---|---|
| value1 | First value or range to consider when calculating the minimum value | Number, cell reference, or range |
| [value2, ...] | (optional) Additional values or ranges | Number, cell reference, or range |
Examples of use
Search for the minimum in the range
If you have data in cells A1:A10, you can find the minimum value as follows:
=MIN(A1:A10)
This formula will return the smallest value from the specified range.
Searching for the minimum among individual numbers
=MIN(10, 20, 5, 30, 15)
In this case, the formula will return 5, as this is the smallest number.
Combining ranges and values
=MIN(A1:A10, 25, B1:B5)
This formula will find the minimum value among the specified ranges and the number 25.
Notes
- The MIN function ignores text values and empty cells in the range.
- If there are no numbers in the range, the function will return the #VALUE! error.