title: Find MIN value from multiple columns in a SQL Server table - Return sys.columns ColumnName
body: <p>Specs: SSMS 2012</p>
  
  <p>Table: 7 columns, one ID column (NOT NULL) &amp; 6 date columns (NULL)</p>
  
  <p>There are thousands of rows in the table:</p>
  
  <p>ID|Date1|Date2|Date3|Date4|Date5|Date6</p>
  
  <p>.</p>
  
  <p>I am trying to find the MIN(DATE) across all 6 Date columns; however, I can't lose track of the Date Column Name (the sys.columns value).  This is needed for reporting which column has the lowest Date.</p>
  
  <p>All of the Date columns can have a NULL value.</p>
  
  <p>I'm open to either creating another column to report the MIN(sys.columns) name or adding a T/F column for each Date Column where 'T' corresponds to the lowest date column.  Obviously NULLs should be avoided when calculating the MIN(DATE).</p>
  
  <p>I was thinking an UNPIVOT would probably be needed.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you for reviewing in advance.</p>