Excel MINIFS Function: A Comprehensive Guide

The MINIFS function in Excel returns the minimum value among cells that meet multiple criteria. This powerful function combines conditional logic with minimum value finding for advanced data analysis.

Quick Overview

• Function Category: Statistical
• Function Version: Excel 2016+
• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Return Value: Number
• Compatibility: Excel 2016+

Advantages of Using MINIFS

1. Multiple criteria support
2. Conditional analysis
3. Data filtering
4. Performance tracking
5. Advanced reporting

Syntax and Basic Usage

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

Parameters:

• min_range: Range to find minimum in
• criteria_range1: First range to check
• criteria1: First condition to meet
• [criteria_range2, criteria2]: Optional additional ranges and conditions

Example 1: Basic Usage

=MINIFS(Sales, Region, "North", Product, "Widget")  // Min sales for widgets in North region
=MINIFS(Values, Dates, ">="&TODAY())  // Min value for future dates

Real-World Applications

1. Sales Analysis

=MINIFS(Sales_Amount, Sales_Date, ">="&StartDate, Sales_Date, "<="&EndDate)

2. Performance Tracking

=MINIFS(Scores, Department, "Sales", Status, "Active")

3. Inventory Management

=MINIFS(Stock_Level, Product_Type, "Electronics", Location, "Warehouse A")

Common Errors and Solutions

1. #VALUE! Error

   • Cause: Mismatched range sizes
   • Solution: Verify range dimensions

2. #N/A Error

   • Cause: No matching criteria
   • Solution: Check conditions

3. Zero Results

   • Cause: No matching data
   • Solution: Verify criteria

Tips and Best Practices

1. Range Alignment

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   // Ensure all ranges have same dimensions
   =MINIFS(A1:A100, B1:B100, "Criteria", C1:C100, ">0")
   

2. Error Handling

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   =IFERROR(MINIFS(Range, Criteria_Range, Criteria), "No Match")
   

3. Dynamic Criteria

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   =MINIFS(Values, Dates, ">="&TODAY()-30)  // Rolling 30-day min
   

Practice Exercises

1. Basic Conditions

   • Single criterion
   • Multiple criteria
   • Date ranges

2. Advanced Applications

   • Dynamic criteria
   • Combined conditions
   • Range analysis

Key Takeaways

1. Multiple criteria handling
2. Conditional minimum
3. Range filtering
4. Performance analysis
5. Advanced filtering

Common Combinations

1. With IF

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   =IF(MINIFS(Range, Criteria_Range, Criteria)<Threshold, "Low", "OK")
   

2. With TODAY

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   =MINIFS(Values, Dates, "<="&TODAY())  // Historical minimum
   

3. With IFERROR

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   =IFERROR(MINIFS(Data, Range1, ">0", Range2, "<100"), 0)
   

Advanced Applications

1. Sales Performance Dashboard

=LET(
    sales_data, A1:A100,
    dates, B1:B100,
    regions, C1:C100,
    current_month, MONTH(TODAY()),
    current_region, "North",
    monthly_min, MINIFS(sales_data, dates, ">="&EOMONTH(TODAY(),-1)+1,
                                   dates, "<="&EOMONTH(TODAY(),0),
                                   regions, current_region),
    ytd_min, MINIFS(sales_data, dates, ">="&DATE(YEAR(TODAY()),1,1),
                               dates, "<="&TODAY(),
                               regions, current_region),
    {monthly_min, ytd_min}
)

2. Dynamic Performance Analysis

=LET(
    performance_data, B1:B100,
    categories, C1:C100,
    dates, D1:D100,
    selected_category, E1,
    date_range, 30,
    current_min, MINIFS(performance_data, 
                       categories, selected_category,
                       dates, ">="&TODAY()-date_range,
                       dates, "<="&TODAY()),
    historical_min, MINIFS(performance_data,
                          categories, selected_category),
    percent_of_min, current_min/historical_min,
    {current_min, historical_min, percent_of_min}
)

Business Applications

1. Sales Analysis

• Regional performance
• Product categories
• Time periods

2. Performance Metrics

• Employee evaluation
• Department analysis
• Goal tracking

3. Inventory Management

• Stock levels
• Product categories
• Location analysis

Next Steps

1. Practice conditions
2. Build reports
3. Create dashboards
4. Analyze trends

Get Help

Having trouble with the MINIFS function? Feel free to:

• Leave a comment below with your question
• Check our Excel Formula FAQ section
• Join our Excel community for more tips and tricks

Remember: The MINIFS function is essential for finding minimum values with multiple conditions in Excel.

Last updated: January 2025 - Keeping you up to date with the latest Excel best practices and techniques.

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