How to Use Min Function in Excel?

Excel’s most prominent use all over the world is for data analysis and data management. There are several functions and features in Excel that make excel an efficient and smart manager of data.

No matter the size of the dataset, more often than not if you know how to command excel, it will give you the result you are looking for.

There are some complex analysis features in excel, while there are some features that are very rudimentary and required or used often.

One such analysis is finding the smallest values. There are quite a few ways to find the smallest value in excel, but there is a function for it as well called MIIN.

So, today let’s learn how to use the MIN function in excel.

What is the MIN Function in Excel?

The MIN function in excel finds the smallest value from a data set. When there are many values in a data set it is hard to find the smallest value.

So, the MIN function is a useful feature in excel that finds the smallest value.

You can also sort the data in order to find the smallest value, however, if you need the value in another cell or need the value for an argument in another formula, the MIN function is the way to do it.

So, let’s see how to use the MIN function in excel.

How to Use Min Function in Excel?

Let’s look at a data set first.

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It is a very simple one column of various values, however, imagine if you have got a thousand values. It is almost impossible to find the smallest value from that data set.

So, to find the smallest value, type the following formula:

=MIN(A1:A6)

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Now, press and enter, and excel will find the smallest value for you.

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If you don’t have your values in a straight column or row, you can still use the MIN function. You have to separate the values with a comma. Let’s see how to do that.

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In the picture above, the values are scattered. Type the following formula to find the smallest value:

=MIN(A1:A6,C2:C3,E3)

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Now press enter and excel will find the smallest value for you.

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There is another function called the SMALL function which is similar to the MIN function. You can find the nth small value from a data set.

That is, you can not only find the smallest value but also the 2nd smallest, 3rd smallest, and so on. Let’s see an example. Type the following formula:

=SMALL(A1:A6,2)

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Press enter and excel will find the 2nd smallest value in the data set.

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Note: There is a function called the MAX function which is like the MIN function, and it finds the largest value and another function called the LARGE function which is like the SMALL function and it finds the nth largest value.

There you go now you know how to use the MIN function in excel.

Conclusion

The MIN function in excel is an amazing example of Excel’s detailing while data analysis.

As now you know how to use the MIN function in excel, you can easily find the smallest value in excel and nest it with other functions if needed.

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