MIN in Excel

Last Updated :

21 Aug, 2024

Blog Author :

N/A

Edited by :

Ashish Kumar Srivastav

Reviewed by :

Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM

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MIN in Excel

MIN function is categorized under statistical functions in Excel. It is used to find the minimum value from a given set of data/arrays. In addition, it returns the minimum value from a given set of numeric values.

For example, suppose we have data from A2:B6 and need to determine the minimum values. In such a scenario, we can use the MIN Excel function. In this example, applying the MIN function formula =MIN(A2:B6) may give us the minimum value among the cell range from A2 to B6. 

  • It counts numbers but ignores empty cells, text, the logical values "TRUE" and "FALSE," and text values.
  • We can use it to calculate the minimum salary of the employee, the minimum time/score, the lowest expense or revenue amount, etc.
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MIN Formula in Excel

Below is the MIN formula in Excel.

MIN Formula in Excel

The MIN formula has at least one critical parameter: number1, and the subsequent rest numbers are optional.

Compulsory Parameter:

  • number1: It is the required number.

Optional Parameter:

  • : The subsequent rest numbers are optional.

How to Use MIN Function in Excel?

The MIN function in Excel is very simple and easy to use. Let us understand the working of the MIN function in some examples. It can be used as a worksheet function and as a VBA function.

Example #1

In this example, we have a student database with their score details. Now we need to find out the minimum score for these students.

MIN Example 1

Here, we must apply the function =MIN(C3:C18)

MIN Example 1-1

It will return the minimum score from the given list of scores, as shown in the table below.

MIN Example 1-2

Example #2

In this example, we have student details with their score, but here some students did not have any scores.

MIN Example 2

Now, we must apply the function =MIN(G3:G18)

MIN Example 2-1

The MIN function ignores the empty cells and then calculates the minimum score from the given data, as shown in the below table.

MIN Example 2-2

Example #3

Suppose we have a student's details with their score, but some of the student's score values are Boolean.

MIN Example 3

Then, apply the function here =MIN(J3:J18).

MIN Example 3-1

The MIN function in Excel ignores these Boolean values cells and then calculates the minimum score from the given data, as shown in the below table.

MIN Example 3-2

Example #4

Suppose we have a list of names, and we have to calculate the name with minimum length.

Example 4

Here, we have to apply the LEN function to calculate the length of the name, then use the MIN function to find the name with minimum length.

Example 4-1

It will give you the result shown below.

Example 4-2

Example #5

We can use the MIN function to find the MIN date from the given set of dates and the minimum time from the given time. We can use it to find the minimum currency from the given data, as shown in the below table.

Example 5

MIN function can be used as a VBA function.

Sub MINcal()

Dim Ans As Integer //declare the Ans as integer

Ans = Applicaltion.WorksheetFunction.MIN(Range("A1:B5"))  // Apply Excel MIN function on range A1 to B5

MsgBox Ans //Display the MIN value in the Message box.

End Sub

Things to Remember

  • It throws #VALUE! Error if any of the supplied values are non-numeric.
  • It counts numbers but ignores empty cells, text, the logical values "TRUE" and "FALSE," and text values.
  • If this function has no numbers in the arguments, it will return the 0 as output.

This article is a guide to the MIN Function in Excel. We discuss the MIN formula and how to use the MIN function along with an Excel example and downloadable Excel templates. You may also look at these useful functions in Excel: -