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: When given a range, MIN returns the smallest value in the range:
Mixed arguments
The MIN function can accept a mix of arguments:
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:
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.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
