How to Use MIN, MINA, MINIFS, and DMIN Functions in Excel + Tips

Hello everyone! Today i will show you how to use MIN, MINA, MINIFS, and DMIN functions in Microsoft Excel step by step.

1. What is the Difference Between MIN, MINA, MINIFS, and DMIN?

Finding the smallest number in Excel depends on your data type and criteria:

MIN: Returns the smallest numerical value in a range. Ignores text cells and logical values (TRUE/FALSE).
MINA: Returns the smallest value in a range, BUT evaluates logical values (TRUE = 1, FALSE = 0) and text values ("Text" = 0).
MINIFS: Returns the smallest number that meets one or more criteria (e.g., lowest salary in "IT" department).
DMIN: Database function that finds the smallest value in a table column matching criteria defined in a separate criteria range.

=MIN(number1, [number2], ...)
=MINA(value1, [value2], ...)

Suppose range A1:A4 contains: 50, 100, "Pending" (text), and FALSE (logical value).

Formula	Result	Explanation
`=MIN(A1:A4)`	`50`	Ignores `"Pending"` and `FALSE`, so `50` is the smallest number.
`=MINA(A1:A4)`	`0`	Evaluates `"Pending"` as `0` and `FALSE` as `0`, returning `0`!

The MINIFS function allows you to find the minimum number based on single or multiple criteria.

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

Suppose table range A2:C6 has Employee names (Col A), Department (Col B), and Sales (Col C):

Row	Column A (Employee)	Column B (Department)	Column C (Sales)
2	Sok	IT	$800
3	Dara	HR	$700
4	Lina	IT	$450
5	Sam	Sales	$600
6	Bopha	IT	$900

=MINIFS(C2:C6, B2:B6, "IT")

👉 Result: $450 (Lina's sales are the lowest among IT department employees)

The DMIN function finds the lowest value in a structured table database matching criteria setup in a separate cell range.

=DMIN(database, field, criteria)

database: The full table range including column headers (e.g., A1:C6).
field: Column header name in quotes (e.g., "Sales") or column index number (3).
criteria: Criteria cell range containing headers and filter condition (e.g., E1:E2).

=DMIN(A1:C6, "Sales", E1:E2)

👉 Result: $450

Watch Out for MINA with Text or FALSE: MINA treats text strings and FALSE as 0, which can accidentally return 0 as your minimum value if your range has blank text or FALSE entries!
Find Lowest Value Greater Than Zero: To ignore zero values (e.g. empty or non-sale items), use MINIFS: =MINIFS(A2:A10, A2:A10, ">0").
Calculate Range Spread (MAX - MIN): Combine MAX and MIN to find the variation in your data: =MAX(A2:A10) - MIN(A2:A10).
Use MINIFS for Date Filters: You can easily find the earliest date for a specific category or project!