MIN Function in Excel: Smallest Value in a Range

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StatisticalLevel: BeginnerAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article

1. Syntax
2. Examples
3. Example 1
4. Example 2
5. Common errors and fixes
6. MIN in practice
7. Where you will use it
8. Worked example
9. Mistakes people make
10. Related functions
11. Continue learning

MIN returns the smallest number in a set of values, ignoring text and blanks.

Syntax

=MIN(number1, [number2], ...)

Argument	What it means
number1	Numbers or ranges.

Examples

Example 1

=MIN(A2:A500)

Earliest date.

Example 2

=MIN(1000, B2*5%)

Commission at 5% but capped at ₹1,000.

Common errors and fixes

You see	Why, and the fix
Returns 0	Blank-looking cells actually contain 0. Use MINIFS(range, range, “>0”).

MIN in practice

Where you will use it

• Lowest price quoted
• Earliest date
• Cap a value at a maximum: MIN(limit, x)

Worked example

Vendor	Quote	Formula	Result
A	48500	=MIN($B$2:B2)	48500
B	46200	=MIN($B$2:B3)	46200
C	47900	=MIN($B$2:B4)	46200

Results calculated in Excel.

Mistakes people make

Mistake	What to do instead
Blank cells counted as 0?	MIN ignores blanks, but typed zeros count
Needing a condition	Use MINIFS

Related functions

MAX · SMALL · MINIFS

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📎 Practice files for this article

• 📗
  Practice workbook: Statistics basics22 tasks on realistic sales data — type your formula, the Check column turns green when it is right. Answers sheet included.
  ⬇ XLSX · 34 KB

Free to use for learning. Files with macros (.bas) are plain text — import them with Alt+F11 → File → Import File, and always test on a copy.