Excel MIN Function (Smallest Value) – Examples & Practice
Practice the Excel MIN function online with an interactive grid, instant feedback, and clear formula help.
Instruction
Return the smallest value in range B2:B6.
Formula Syntax
=MIN(number1, [number2], ...)
- number1: First number, cell, or range.
- [number2]: Optional additional numbers or ranges.
- ...: Up to 255 arguments.
What it does
MIN returns the smallest numeric value from a set of numbers. It is widely used for prices, scores, and earliest dates.
Excel MIN Function Examples
Minimum in a range
=MIN(B2:B6)
Returns the smallest number.
Minimum of several cells
=MIN(B2, B4, D2)
Compares scattered cells.
numeric-practice-sheet.xlsx
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | Input 1 | 120 |
| 3 | Input 2 | -45 |
| 4 | Input 3 | 560.25 |
| 5 | Input 4 | 225.8 |
| 6 | Input 5 | 90 |
| 7 | Output |
Input Formula
Need Help?
Tips
- Plot MIN next to MAX on dashboards for quick range insight.
- Watch for zeros that represent missing data.
- Use SMALL when you need the 2nd or 3rd smallest value.
MIN Function Use Cases
- Find lowest price, score, or temperature
- Earliest date in a list
- Lower bound for charts and conditional formatting
- Constraint checks in planning models
- Pair with MAX for range reporting
Common mistakes - MIN function not working
- Including headers with text that skews understanding (even if ignored)
- Expecting MIN to ignore zeros when zeros are valid
- Using MIN when you need SMALL with k-th smallest
- Mixing incompatible data types without cleaning
- Forgetting that blank cells are skipped but zeros are not
FAQ
Does MIN ignore text?
Text is ignored when computing the minimum of numbers in typical ranges.
Does MIN work with dates?
Yes. Dates are numeric serials, so MIN finds the earliest date in a range.
MIN vs MINA?
MINA includes logical values and text in some evaluations; MIN is the common numeric choice.
What if all cells are blank?
You may get 0 or an error depending on context; validate ranges.
Can MIN take multiple ranges?
Yes. Separate arguments with commas.
Comparison
| Function | Returns |
|---|---|
| MIN | Smallest value |
| MAX | Largest value |
| SMALL | k-th smallest |
Example
=MIN(B2:B6) vs =MAX(B2:B6).
Advanced examples
MIN with conditions
Older Excel often uses MIN(IF(...)) array patterns; modern Excel can use MINIFS or FILTER.
See SUMIFS for similar conditional thinking.