MINIFS
Returns the minimum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions.
=MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)This static page keeps the function indexed for search, while the spreadsheet app handles interactive exploration and saved formulas.
What the function does
Overview
Returns the minimum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions.
MINIFS returns the minimum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions or criteria. It supports up to 126 pairs of range/criteria arguments. Unlike older array-based methods, MINIFS is part of the newer set of functions (Office 2019+) that simplifies conditional logic without requiring complex Ctrl+Shift+Enter syntax. A key technical requirement is that the ange and all ange arguments must be the same size and shape; otherwise, the function returns a #VALUE! error. Best practices suggest using absolute references (2:100) when copying the formula across multiple cells to maintain range integrity. Note that if no cells meet the criteria, the function returns 0. If your data contains actual zeros, you may need an additional check to distinguish between 'no results' and 'minimum is zero'. Text-based criteria can include wildcards such as '*' for multiple characters or '?' for a single character.
Quick reference
Syntax
=MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)Inputs
Arguments
Example: C2:C100
Example: A2:A100
Example: "Supplier X"
Formula patterns
Examples
Find lowest price for a specific category
=MINIFS(C2:C100, B2:B100, "Electronics")Lowest sales figure within a dynamic date range
=MINIFS(D2:D50, A2:A50, ">="&F1, A2:A50, "<="&G1)Minimum score excluding zero values for a specific class
=MINIFS(B2:B20, B2:B20, ">0", A2:A20, E1)Avoid these issues
Common Errors
#VALUE!
Cause: The min_range and criteria_range arguments are not the same size or shape (e.g., A2:A10 compared to B2:B11).
Fix: Ensure all range arguments cover the exact same number of rows and columns.
0 (Zero)
Cause: This occurs when no cells meet the specified criteria, or if the matching cells are empty or contain non-numeric data.
Fix: Verify that the criteria logic is correct and ensure the min_range contains actual numbers rather than text formatted as numbers.
Platform support
Compatibility
Source: Microsoft Support
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Returns the minimum value among cells specified by a given set of conditions.
ange: Range to find min in ange1: Range to check criteria1: Condition
#VALUE!: Ensure all range arguments cover the exact same number of rows and columns. 0 (Zero): Verify that the criteria logic is correct and ensure the ange contains actual numbers rather than text formatted as numbers.