MINIF Function in Excel

The MINIF function is a unique feature introduced by Modern Functions Update (MFU) that does not exist in any version of vanilla Excel. You can now run it for free on your Excel from 2007 onward, including 365 and 2024 versions.

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Description

The MINIF function returns the smallest numeric value in a range that meets a single specified condition. It is the single-criteria counterpart to MINIFS, similar to how SUMIF relates to SUMIFS or AVERAGEIF relates to AVERAGEIFS.

This is particularly useful for:

• Finding lowest performers: Get the minimum sales figure for a specific product or region
• Data analysis: Find minimum values that meet a single criterion
• Quality control: Identify the smallest value within a specific category
• Reporting: Create dynamic summaries based on conditions
• Cost analysis: Find the lowest cost item within a category

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Syntax

=MINIF(minRange, criteriaRange, criteria)

Argument	Description
minRange	Required. The range of cells from which you want to find the minimum value.
criteriaRange	Required. The range to evaluate against the condition.
criteria	Required. The condition to apply to criteriaRange.

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Important Rules

• All ranges must be the same size.
• If no cells meet the criteria, MINIF returns 0 (zero).
• Empty cells that meet criteria are automatically ignored.
• The function supports logical operators (>, <, <>, =) and wildcards (*, ?, ~).

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Criteria Syntax

The MINIF function supports logical operators and wildcards for partial matching. When using operators, they must be enclosed in double quotes.

Target	Criteria
Cells greater than 75	">75"
Cells equal to 100	100 or "100"
Cells less than or equal to 100	"<=100"
Cells equal to “Red”	"red"
Cells not equal to “Red”	"<>red"
Cells that begin with “X”	"x*"
Cells less than value in A1	"<"&A1

When using a value from another cell, the cell reference must be concatenated to the operator using the ampersand (&).

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Examples

Basic Usage – Single Condition

If you have sales data and want to find the minimum sale amount for “USA”:

=MINIF(E2:E100, C2:C100, "USA")

This returns the lowest value in E2:E100 where the corresponding cell in C2:C100 equals “USA”.

Using Values from Other Cells

To find the minimum value in A1:A100 where cells in B1:B100 are greater than the value in C1:

=MINIF(A1:A100, B1:B100, ">"&C1)

The concatenation (">"&C1) is required because Excel needs to evaluate the cell reference first.

Using Wildcards

To find the minimum value where cells in B1:B100 begin with “a”:

=MINIF(A1:A100, B1:B100, "a*")

The asterisk (*) matches any number of characters.

Finding Minimum by Category

If you have products in column A and prices in column B:

=MINIF(B2:B100, A2:A100, "Laptop")

Returns the minimum price for laptops.

Excluding Blanks

To find the minimum value in a range while ignoring blank cells:

=MINIF(A1:A100, A1:A100, "<>")

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MINIF vs MINIFS

Feature	MINIF	MINIFS
Number of criteria	1	Multiple (up to 126)
Syntax	=MINIF(minRange, criteriaRange, criteria)	=MINIFS(minRange, criteriaRange1, criteria1, ...)
Complexity	Simpler	More complex
Use case	Simple, single-condition lookups	Complex, multi-condition lookups

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MINIF vs MIN + IF (Array Formula)

In older Excel versions without MINIF, you would use an array formula:

{=MIN(IF(criteriaRange=criteria, minRange))}

Example: Find minimum value in A1:A100 where B1:B100 equals “X”:

{=MIN(IF(B1:B100="X", A1:A100))}

Note: This is an array formula and must be entered with Ctrl+Shift+Enter.

Advantages of MINIF:

• ✅ Simpler and more readable syntax
• ✅ No Ctrl+Shift+Enter required
• ✅ Works natively with references

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Practical Use Cases

Scenario	Formula
Lowest sales by region	=MINIF(SalesAmount, Region, "North")
Lowest score by gender	=MINIF(Score, Gender, "F")
Min product by category	=MINIF(Price, Category, "Laptop")
Min value with numeric criteria	=MINIF(Value, Range, ">10")
Min value with wildcard	=MINIF(Value, Range, "A*")
Min value excluding blanks	=MINIF(Value, Range, "<>")
Minimum cost under budget	=MINIF(Cost, Budget, "<=100")

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Common Problems

Problem	What It Means	What To Do
#NAME? error	Excel doesn’t recognize MINIF	Install Modern Functions Update
#VALUE! error	Ranges are not the same size	Ensure all ranges are the same size
#DIV/0! error	No numeric values in range	Check the data
Returns 0	No cells meet the criteria	Check your criteria or data

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Notes

• ✅ Fully tested – The implementation in Modern Functions Update works reliably.
• ✅ The function is fully compatible with Excel 2007, 2010, and all later versions.
• ℹ️ MINIF is a unique MFU feature not found in any Excel version.
• ℹ️ If no cells match the criteria, MINIF returns 0 (zero) – be careful if 0 is a valid value in your data.
• ℹ️ MINIF is the single-criteria version of MINIFS.

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See Also

MINIFS – Returns the minimum value with multiple conditions

MAXIF – Returns the maximum value with conditions