How to use the MINA function
What is the MINA function?
The MINA function returns the smallest number from an array or cell range. Text values and blanks are ignored, boolean value TRUE evaluates to 1 and FALSE to 0 (zero).
What is MINA an abbreviation of?
MINA stands for minimum alternative meaning it also evaluates logical values and text as numbers. Text and boolean value FALSE is evaluated to 0 (zero), boolean value TRUE is 1.
What is the difference between the MIN function and the MINA function?
The MIN function excludes or ignores text and boolean values, the MIN function includes text and boolean values.
Related functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| MIN(number1,number2,...) | Returns the smallest numeric value |
| MINA(value1,value2,...) | Returns the smallest value including text |
| MINIFS(min_range, criteria_range1, criteria1,...) | Returns min from a range meeting multiple criteria |
| SMALL(array, k) | Returns the k-th smallest value in array |
| AGGREGATE(4,options,array,k) | Returns k-th smallest value ignoring hidden rows/columns |
| DMIN(database, field, criteria) | Returns min value in a database meeting criteria |
MINA function Syntax
MINA(value1, [value2], ...)
MINA function Arguments
| value1 | Required. Value or cell ref for which you want to find the smallest number. |
| [value2] | Optional. Up to 254 additional arguments. |
MINA function example
This example demonstrates how the MINA function works. Cell range B3:B10 contains values, the corresponding cells in C3:C10 shows how the MINA function "evaluates" these values.
Excel aligns values to the right if it is recognized as a number or numerical value. Excel aligns values to the left if Excel "evaluates" the value as a text value. The image above shows that Excel thinks that -2 is a text value. This can happen if you work with imported data from other sources like databases, the web etc.
Boolean values and error values are center aligned, FALSE in cell B5 is 0 (zero) and TRUE om cell B10 is 1.
Formula in cell B13:
The formula in cell B13 returns -1 which is the smallest number in cell range B3:B10. How do you convert numerical values stored as text values in Excel? Excel often labels the cell with a green arrow in the top left corner. Select the cell and a box containing an exclamation mark shows up.
Press with left mouse button on the exclamation mark and popup appears containing available options.
Select the second row "Convert to number" to do the obvious thing convert the value to a number. You also have the option to get more information about this particular error. You can also ignore the error entirely.
MINA function not working
- MINA function returns 0 (zero) if argument has no values.
- Error values in the source data cause the function to return an error.
Use the MIN function if you don't want to include logical values in the calculation.
Functions in 'Statistical' category
The MINA function function is one of many functions in the 'Statistical' category.
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