The Excel MINA function returns the smallest value in a range, like MIN, but it also counts text and TRUE/FALSE. Text and FALSE count as 0, and TRUE counts as 1.
PurposeSmallest value, counting text and logicals
ReturnsA number
Available inAll Excel versions, Excel for the web, Google Sheets
value1 |
The first value or range. |
|---|---|
value2, ... optional |
More values or ranges. |
Table of Contents
Basic example: count Absent as zero
Arjun was absent for the Maths test. MIN ignores the text, but MINA treats it as a score of 0:
=MINA(C3:C8)
MIN returns the lowest actual score, 64. MINA returns 0. Use MINA when a missing entry should count as zero.
Check whether everything is TRUE
MINA returns 1 only if every value is TRUE, and 0 if any is FALSE:
=MINA(C3:C6)
Draft isn’t done, so the result is 0. AND gives the same answer as TRUE or FALSE.
How MIN and MINA treat values
| Value | MIN | MINA |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers | Counted | Counted |
| Text in a range | Ignored | Counted as 0 |
| TRUE | Ignored | Counted as 1 |
| FALSE | Ignored | Counted as 0 |
| Empty cells | Ignored | Ignored |
Notes
- Empty cells are ignored by both MIN and MINA.
- For normal number lists, use MIN.
- MAXA is the matching function for the largest value.
Common errors
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Result is 0 unexpectedly | Text in the range counted as 0 | Use MIN instead |
Practice file
Both examples plus the comparison table.