What Is MIN Function In Google Sheets?
The MIN Google Sheets function checks the selected dataset or the cell range for the smallest or the lowest value and will return that value as the output.
The MIN function in Google Sheets easily finds and projects the lowest value in a large dataset with multiple digit numeric values, such as population data, a company’s profit and loss data, etc.
For example, we have the population details of 10 cities which is a large data and not so easy to find the less populated city. Therefore, we will use the MIN function to find the least populated city.
Select cell E2, enter the formula =MIN(C2:C11) and press “Enter”, as shown below.
The output is shown above, i.e. the minimum value being the least populated city.
Key Takeaways
- The MIN Google Sheets function is a Statistical function that helps us find the minimum value from a list of values, such as numbers in any format whether integers (positive or negative), decimals, fractions, or dates in any valid format, etc.
- The function returns 0 when none of the arguments is numeric or a blank range is supplied.
- We can use the filter and the sort method and organize the values in ascending order to get the minimum value without the formula.
- The MINA function helps find the minimum value from a list of numbers, logical values (true and false), and text representations of numbers.
- When we want to execute a function as an array, we must press the keys “Ctrl+Shift+Enter” or use the ARRAYFORMULA, that is only available in Google Sheets and not in MS Excel.
Syntax
The syntax of the MIN formula in Google Sheets is,
The arguments of the MIN formula in Google Sheets are,
- value1: It is the selected cell range to find the lowest number. It is a mandatory argument.
- [value2, …]: It is the additional cell ranges that must be checked along with value1. It is an optional argument.
How To Use MIN Function In Google Sheets?
We can use the MIN Function in Google Sheets in two ways, as follows:
- Access from the Google Sheets ribbon.
- Enter the formula in the worksheet manually.
Method #1 – Access From the Google Sheets Ribbon →
Step 1: Choose an empty cell for the output → select the “Insert” tab → click the “Function” option right arrow → click the “Statistical” option right arrow → select the “MIN” function, as shown below.
Step 2: The “MIN” formulaappears, as shown below. Enter the argument as cell reference.
Method #2 – Enter the Formula in the Worksheet Manually →
Step 1: Select an empty cell for the output.
Step 2: Type =MIN( in the cell, as shown below. [Alternatively, type =M or =MI and double-click the MIN from the Google Sheets suggestions.]
Step 3: Enter the arguments as cell values or cell references and close the brackets.
Step 4: Press Enter to view the outcome.
Examples
Let us consider some MIN Google Sheets Function examples to find the minimum salary, earliest date, minimum of negative values and use the IF function.
Example #1 – Finding Minimum Salary of Employees.
Consider the dataset that consists of employee details, such as their names, ID’s, department and their salaries. We will use the MIN() for finding minimum salary of employees.
The procedure to find the lowest salary from the employee data is,
Select cell G2, enter the formula =MIN(E2:E11) and press “Enter”, as shown below.
Example #2 – Combining the MIN Function with IF Function.
The dataset given below consists of laptop brands and the units ordered. We will retrieve the required data by combining the MIN Function with IF Function.
The steps to use the MIN and the IF functions are as follows:
Step 1: Select cell D2 and enter the formula =MIN(IF($C$2:$C$9>10,$C$2:$C$9,0)), as shown below.
[Note: We have made the cell range absolute by pressing the F4 or the Fn+F4 keys.]
Step 2: Press “Enter” and drag the formula from cell D2 to D9 using the fill handle, to get the following results.
Output Observation:
- The IF function, first, checks if the selected values are greater than the minimum units ordered value, i.e. 10 in the dataset. Then, it returns the value itself if the condition is true, and 0 if the condition is False. The return value is a number now.
- Next, this value or the output of the IF function is matched with the minimum value by the MIN() formula and then returns the smallest value of the both. And, hence the result.
For our reference, let us only execute the IF function as an array formula in column F. Therefore, select cell F2, enter the IF part of the formula =IF($C$2:$C$9>10,$C$2:$C$9,0), press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter” and press “Enter”, to get the following results.
Now, we can see the results clearly, that the values in column F, are the IF() results of the formula that acts as one of the argument value for the MIN function.
Example #3 – Finding the Earliest Date with the MIN Function.
Consider a company’s important events and their respective dates. We will be finding the earliest date with the MIN Function.
The procedure to find the earliest date in the dataset is,
Select cell A9, enter the formula =MIN(B2:B6) and press “Enter”, as shown below.
We get the output shown above, i.e. the preset serial number of the date. Let us change the date format to get the right format.
Therefore, select cell A9, the result cell à select the “Format” tab à click the “Number” option right-arrow à click the “Date” option, as shown below (if the required format is available or select the required format using the custom dates option).
The result below, after formatting the date, indicates that the quarterly review is the earliest date.
Example #4 – Using the MIN Function with Negative Values.
The dataset consists of some random numeric values in different formats, such as whole numbers, fractions, decimals, etc, except that they are negative values. Let us find the lowest value using the MIN Function with Negative Values in the dataset.
The procedure to find the lowest negative number in the dataset is,
Select cell C1, enter the formula =MIN(A2:A6) and press “Enter”, as shown below.
Important Things To Note
- The MIN Google Sheets function ignores the cell references of empty cells, logical values and text strings.
- It also ignores the logical values, but counts those that are supplied to it directly. The values “true” and “false” are counted as 1 and 0, respectively.
- It counts the text representations of numbers irrespective of whether they are supplied directly (in double quotes) or as cell references. For instance, the formula =MIN(5,9,“4”) returns 4.
- When the text strings are supplied directly within double quotes, it returns the “#VALUE!” error. For instance, the formula =MIN(1,2,“t”,“r”) returns the “#VALUE!” error.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A few reasons the MIN Google Sheets Function may not work are,
a. The argument values or cell reference are not organized properly.
b. The cell range selected is modified or deleted.
c. We have inserted the result cells below the dataset and new data is added in the dataset.
d. The cell value for the arguments given directly are inserted with double-quotes.
e. here is combination of values, such as numeric values and dates are in the selected dataset.
f. When we combine MIN function with other functions, if the result of the formula, that must serve as an argument is not numeric, then we will get an error.
g. The format of the result cells is different from the selected cell range data format.
We often forget in which category a function falls, here, the “MIN” function. Then, we can insert the function as follows:
Choose an empty cell → select the “Insert” tab → click the “Function” option right arrow → click the “All” option right arrow → select the “MIN” function, as shown below.
However, as always, entering the function manually is the best way to avoid confusion.
Also, we can use the same path to insert other MIN functions, such as MINA, MINIFS, MINVERSE, etc. as they are found just below the MIN function option as we can see in the above image.
Alternatively, we can find the Functions icon to insert the MIN Google Sheets Function by following the path shown below.
• Choose an empty cell → click the “More” option represented by the three vertical dots at the end of the toolbar, as shown below.
• A list of icons appears when we click the “More” option. Here, click the “Functions” icon, as shown below.
• Here, click the “Functions” option → click the “All” option right arrow → select the “MIN” function, as shown below.
We can insert the Google Sheets IF function as follows:
Choose an empty cell for the output → select the “Insert” tab → click the “Function” option right arrow → click the “Logical” option right arrow → select the “IF” function, as shown below.
Download Template
This article must help understand MIN Google Sheets function with its formula and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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