Microsoft Excel 
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FINDING A MINIMUM VALUE 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
The Minimum or MIN function allows you to 
extract the lowest value from a range of values. It 
is written in much the same way as the SUM 
function. For example, =MIN(range of cells).  
The function can be applied using the Function 
Wizard, or by typing the function in detail directly 
into the cell. 
 
Try This Yourself: 
Same 
File Continue using the previous 
file with this exercise, or 
open the file E710 
Formulas_8.xlsx... 
 
Click on B31 then click on 
the Insert Function
 tool  
to display the Insert 
Function dialog box 
 
Click on the drop arrow  
for the Or select a category 
box and click on Statistical 
 
Scroll down and click on MIN 
in Select a function then 
click on [OK] to display the 
Function Arguments dialog 
box 
 
Click on the Range Selector 
tool  to roll up the wizard, 
then hold down  and 
select the following ranges: 
B6:B8  B16:B18 
B11:B13 B21:B23 
 
Press  to complete the 
range specifications, then 
click on [OK] to complete the 
process 
Let’s simply type the function 
this time… 
 
Click on B36 and type 
=MIN(B9,B14,B19,B24) 
 
Press  to complete the 
formula 
 
For Your Reference… 
To insert a minimum function: 
1. Click in the cell then click on the Insert 
Function
 tool   
2. Click on MIN in Select a function 
3. Insert the required ranges then click on 
[OK] 
Handy to Know… 
 You might use a Minimum function in real 
life to find the lowest value in a large range of 
numbers. For example, in a large inventory it 
can be used to work out which product is the 
slowest seller. 
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