How to use MIN function in Microsoft Excel

In this article, we will learn how to use MIN function in Microsoft Excel.

In Microsoft Excel, MIN function returns the smallest or minimum value from the provided numbers, named range or array.

Let’s take examples and understand:-

Here, we have a table with 5 different examples.

1^st Example:-

In this example, we have a range of numbers from which we want to return minimum value.

Follow the steps below given:-

• Enter the function in cell A14
• =MIN(A8:A12)
• Press Enter

• The function will return 1, which is the minimum value within the range

2^nd Example:-

In this example, we will see what happens when we take any range in the 1^st argument and enter any value in the 2^nd argument.

Follow the steps given below:-

• Enter the function in cell B14
• =MIN(B8:B12,2,3-2)
• Press Enter

Formula Explanation:-

In this formula, first we have selected the range from B8:B12 and then we have entered 3-2 which is equivalent to 1, so our minimum value is 1.

3^rd Example:-

In this example, we will see what happens when we have blank cells within the range.

Follow the steps given below:-

• Enter the function in cell C14
• =MIN(C8:C12)
• Press Enter

Function has returned 2 as the minimum value. Therefore, we can say that function will look for the minimum value in available values only.

4^th Example:-

In this example, we will see what happens when we have text value in the range for which we want to return minimum value.

Follow the steps given below:-

• Enter the function in cell D14
• =MIN(D8:D12)
• Press Enter

The function has returned 4. This means while calculating, MIN function ignores text values as well.

5^th Example:-

In this example, we have taken error value in the range for which we are going to calculate minimum value.

Follow the steps given below:-

• Enter the function in cell E14
• =MIN(E8:E12)
• Press Enter

It is because it cannot have any error value in the range which we are referring to in the number argument and hence it returns an error as an answer.

So, this is how MIN function works and we can make use of it in different situations.

Video: How to use MIN function in Microsoft Excel

Watch the steps in this short video, and the written instructions are above the video

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