Mastering MIN Functions in Google Sheets: MIN & MINIFS

Google Sheets offers powerful functions for finding the smallest values in a dataset. Whether you need to find the lowest number in a range or apply conditions to filter the minimum value, MIN and MINIFS functions are essential for data analysis.

In this guide, we’ll cover these functions with syntax, examples, and real-world applications.

1. MIN Function (Find the Lowest Value)

What Does MIN Do?

The MIN function returns the smallest numeric value from a given range.

Syntax:

=MIN(range)

Example:

To find the lowest value in A1 to A10:

=MIN(A1:A10)

✅ Result: Returns the smallest number in the range.

Use Case: Useful for identifying the lowest sales, expenses, or scores in a dataset.

2. MINIFS Function (Conditional Minimum Value)

What Does MINIFS Do?

The MINIFS function returns the smallest value in a range that meets one or more conditions.

Syntax:

=MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2, ...])

Example 1: Finding the Lowest Price for a Specific Product

To find the lowest price (column B) of “Laptop” in column A:

=MINIFS(B1:B100, A1:A100, "Laptop")

✅ Result: Returns the lowest price among all “Laptop” entries.

Example 2: Finding the Lowest Salary for a Specific Department

To find the lowest salary (column C) in the “IT” department (column A):

=MINIFS(C2:C100, A2:A100, "IT")

✅ Result: Returns the lowest salary in the IT department.

Use Case: Ideal for filtering minimum values in sales, HR analytics, and financial reports.

Common Issues & Solutions

🚨 Problem: MIN function isn’t returning expected results. ✅ Solution: Ensure the range contains only numbers, as MIN ignores text values.

🚨 Problem: MINIFS isn’t filtering correctly. ✅ Solution: Check that criteria values match exactly and are formatted correctly.

🚨 Problem: MINIFS is returning 0 instead of the expected minimum value. ✅ Solution: Verify that there are no blank cells or zeros in the dataset affecting the result.

Final Thoughts: When to Use Each Function

🚀 Next Steps:

Explore MAX, MAXIFS, and AVERAGEIFS for more advanced data analysis!

📢 Have questions? Drop them in the comments!