Statistical

MINIFS Function in Excel

Returns the minimum value among cells that meet multiple criteria.

Syntax

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

Arguments

  • min_range (required): Range to find minimum in
  • criteria_range1 (required): First range to evaluate
  • criteria1 (required): First criteria

Examples

  • =MINIFS(C2:C10, B2:B10, "West") - Min for West region - Result: Minimum value

Excel MINIFS function documentation

  • MINIFS returns the minimum value among cells meeting one or more criteria.
  • Syntax: =MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...). Excel 2016+ / 365.
  • Mirror of [MAXIFS](/functions/maxifs/) and conditional aggregate family with [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/).
  • Related: [MIN](/functions/min/), [MINIF](/functions/minif/) legacy array, [SMALL](/functions/small/).

MINIFS syntax and criteria

  • min_range: numbers to minimize — size aligns with criteria ranges.
  • Multiple criteria pairs — all must be TRUE (AND logic).
  • Wildcards * ? in text criteria like SUMIFS.
  • No match returns 0 in some versions — verify with IF wrapper.

Step-by-step: lowest sale in region East

  • Step 1 — Table with Region and Amount.
  • Step 2 — =MINIFS(Amount, Region, "East").
  • Step 3 — Add quarter: second pair CloseDate, ">="&Q1Start.
  • Step 4 — Find who: [XLOOKUP](/functions/xlookup/) on amount if unique.
  • Step 5 — Tie case: MINIFS returns one minimum value not all ties.

MINIFS vs MIN+IF array vs SMALL+FILTER

  • MINIFS — native multi-criteria min.
  • MIN(IF(...)) — legacy array; Ctrl+Shift+Enter in old Excel.
  • SMALL(FILTER()) — 365 flexible pipeline.
  • Compare [MAXIFS](/functions/maxifs/) for ceiling by criteria.

Worked examples to copy

  • One criteria: =MINIFS(C:C, A:A, "West").
  • Two criteria: =MINIFS(price, region, E1, status, "Open").
  • Date bound: =MINIFS(val, dates, ">="&start, dates, "<="&end).
  • Exclude zero: =MINIFS(val, val, ">0", region, "North").

People also ask

  • MINIFS #VALUE!? — Mismatched range sizes.
  • MINIFS no match? — May return 0 — use IF(MINIFS=0,...).
  • MINIFS text min? — min_range must be numeric.
  • MINIFS vs DMIN? — DMIN on database tables with criteria row.

Common errors

  • Returns 0 if no matches
  • Ranges must be same size

Use cases

  • Conditional minimum
  • Lowest values by category
  • Threshold analysis

Frequently asked questions

  • How do I find the lowest price for items in stock? Use =MINIFS(Price, InStock, ">0") or =MINIFS(Price, Status, "Available"). This finds the minimum price only among items that meet the stock/availability criteria.
  • How do I find minimum excluding zeros? Add a criteria to exclude zeros: =MINIFS(A:A, A:A, ">0"). This finds the smallest positive value. For the smallest non-zero (including negatives): =MINIFS(A:A, A:A, "<>0").
  • Can I use MINIFS with dates? Yes! =MINIFS(Amount, Date, ">="&DATE(2024,1,1)) finds the minimum amount for dates in 2024 or later. Dates work like numbers in criteria - use >, <, >=, <= operators.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use MINIFS

  • Conditional minimum — common Statistical scenario for MINIFS.
  • Lowest values by category — common Statistical scenario for MINIFS.
  • Threshold analysis — common Statistical scenario for MINIFS.

MINIFS in the Statistical category

  • Browse all Statistical functions at /categories/statistical/ for related formulas.
  • MINIFS syntax: =MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2], [criteria2], ...)
  • min_range (required): Range to find minimum in
  • criteria_range1 (required): First range to evaluate
  • criteria1 (required): First criteria
  • Confirm MINIFS arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm MINIFS arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • MAXIFS (/functions/maxifs/): Returns the maximum value among cells that meet multiple criteria.
  • MIN (/functions/min/): Returns the smallest value in a set of values.
  • SUMIFS (/functions/sumifs/): Adds cells that meet multiple criteria across multiple ranges.
  • AVERAGEIFS (/functions/averageifs/): Returns the average of cells that meet multiple criteria.

Errors to watch for

  • Returns 0 if no matches — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.
  • Ranges must be same size — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter MINIFS on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

MINIFS worked examples to copy

  • =MINIFS(C2:C10, B2:B10, "West") — Min for West region. Expected result: Minimum value.

MINIFS reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • MINIFS belongs to the Statistical category in Excel. Returns the minimum value among cells that meet multiple criteria.
  • Full syntax: =MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2], [criteria2], ...). Open /functions/minifs/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Returns 0 if no matches; Ranges must be same size
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.