MINIFS function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation
What is MINIFS function in Excel?
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Syntax of MINIFS function
MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2], …)
| Argument | Description |
| min_range | The actual range of cells in which the minimum value will be determined. |
| criteria_range1 | Is the set of cells to evaluate with the criteria. |
| criteria1 | Is the criteria in the form of a number, expression, or text that defines which cells will be evaluated as minimum. The same set of criteria works for the MAXIFS, SUMIFS and AVERAGEIFS functions. |
| criteria_range2, criteria2, …(optional) |
Additional ranges and their associated criteria. You can enter up to 126 range/criteria pairs. |
Explanation of MINIFS function
- The size and shape of the min_range and criteria_rangeN arguments must be the same, otherwise these functions return the #VALUE! error.
Examples of MINIFS function
Steps to follow:
1. Open a new Excel worksheet.
2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1
Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.
You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.
Example 1
| Grade | Weight |
| 89 | 1 |
| 93 | 2 |
| 96 | 2 |
| 85 | 3 |
| 91 | 1 |
| 88 | 1 |
| Formula | Result |
| =MINIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,1) | 88
In criteria_range1 the cell B2, B6, and B7 match the criteria of 1. Of the corresponding cells in min_range, A7 has the minimum value. The result is therefore 88. |
Example 2
| Weight | Grade |
| 10 | b |
| 11 | a |
| 100 | a |
| 111 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 1 | a |
| Formula | Result |
| =MINIFS(A2:A5,B3:B6,”a”) | 10 Note: The criteria_range and min_range aren’t aligned, but they are the same shape and size. In criteria_range1, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th cells match the criteria of “a.” Of the corresponding cells in min_range, A2 has the minimum value. The result is therefore 10. |
Example 3
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 100 |
| 11 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 12 | a | Business | 200 |
| 13 | b | Technical | 300 |
| 14 | b | Technical | 300 |
| 15 | b | Business | 400 |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MINIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,”b”,D2:D7,”>100″) | 13 In criteria_range1, B2, B5, B6 and B7 match the criteria of “b.” Of the corresponding cells in criteria_range2, D5, D6, and D7 match the criteria of >100. Finally, of the corresponding cells in min_range, D5 has the minimum value. The result is therefore 13. |
Example 4
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 8 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 8 |
| 100 | a | Business | 8 |
| 11 | b | Technical | |
| 1 | a | Technical | 8 |
| 1 | b | Business | |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MINIFS(A2:A7,B2:B7,”b”,D2:D7,A8) | 1
The criteria2 argument is A8. However, because A8 is empty, it is treated as 0 (zero). The cells in criteria_range2 that match 0 are D5 and D7. Finally, of the corresponding cells in min_range, A7 has the minimum value. The result is therefore 1. |
Example 5
| Weight | Grade |
| 10 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 100 | a |
| 1 | b |
| 1 | a |
| 1 | a |
| Formula | Result |
| =MINIFS(A2:A5,B2:C6,”a”) | #VALUE!
Because the size and shape of the min_range and criteria_range aren’t the same, MINIFS returns the #VALUE! error. |
Example 6
| Weight | Grade | Class | Level |
| 10 | b | Business | 100 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 100 | a | Business | 200 |
| 1 | b | Technical | 300 |
| 1 | a | Technical | 100 |
| 1 | a | Business | 400 |
| Formula | Result | ||
| =MINIFS(A2:A6,B2:B6,”a”,D2:D6,”>200″) | 0
No cells match the criteria. |