MIN
Finds the smallest number in a range: the lowest price among suppliers, the worst result of the month, the minimum stock level.
MIN(number1, [number2], ...)- [ ]optional part
- number1
- The first cell, a range like B2:D2 or a number.
- number2
- More cells or ranges, separated by commas. Optional.Optional
Return value
The smallest of the numbers. If there are no numbers, the function returns 0.
Examples
Best price among suppliers
fx
A
B
C
D
E
F
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Product
Supplier 1, $
Supplier 2, $
Supplier 3, $
Best price, $
Copy paper
390
365
410
Toner
4200
4350
3990
Stapler
450
420
Folder
60
55
58
Sheet1
Details
MIN looks through all the numbers in the cells and ranges and returns the smallest one. Empty cells and text are skipped.
MIN returns only the value itself. To find out whose it is, use INDEX together with MATCH.
Common mistakes
- If the range has no numbers at all, MIN returns 0, not an error. It’s easy to mistake that zero for a real price.
- A zero entered instead of “no data” becomes the minimum. Leave unknown values empty.