Google Sheets Cheat Sheet

MINA Google Sheets Function [With Quiz]

In Google Sheets the MINA function provides the minimum value found in the values, cells, or ranges provided as arguments.

MINA differs from MIN by treating Boolean and text data provided in cell and range references as numbers (TRUE = 1, FALSE = 0, and text = 0).

MINA Syntax

=MINA(value1, [value2, ...])
  • value1 = a value, cell reference, or range reference from which to return the minimum value.
  • [value2, ...] = [optional] additional values, cell references, or range references.

Dates, times, and durations are included in the search for the minimum value by MINA because, in Google Sheets, dates and times are just numbers made to look like dates and times.

When negative numbers are included, the 'minimum' is the largest negative number (not the one closest to zero):

=MINA(-100,-1,2,200)

Returns -100.

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MINA Function Example

ABC
1DataFormulaOutput
298=MINA(A2:A)0
315
4zero
56
6TRUE
734

The values considered are:

  1. 98
  2. 15
  3. "zero" = 0
  4. 6
  5. TRUE = 1
  6. 34

Therefore, the output is 0.

Using cell and range references that contain only blank cells in the arguments of the MINA function will output 0.

MINA Errors

The arguments to MINA can be provided as numbers, Boolean data, cell references, or range references:

=MINA(1,FALSE,A1,B1:B2)

Providing text as an argument directly (e.g. =MINA(1,FALSE,"Text",A1,B1:B2)) will result in a #VALUE! error:

Function MINA parameter 3 expects number values. But 'Text' is a text and cannot be coerced to a number.

When text is included in a cell or range reference it is treated as 0.


If the referenced data includes an error, MINA will output the first error it encounters:

ABC
1DataFormulaOutput
298=MINA(A2:A)#N/A
315
4#N/A
56
6#ERROR!
734

Another obvious error is if you don't include any arguments (as the first value1 is required):

=MINA()

Which results in an #N/A error:

Wrong number of arguments to MINA. Expected at least 1 arguments, but got 0 arguments.

MINA Function Quiz

Here's a quick summary of how to use the quiz spreadsheet:

  1. Select the required cell while the formula bar is empty
  2. Type your answer in the formula bar
  3. You can click on the spreadsheet to add cell/range references

Complete all questions to solidify your understanding of the MINA function.

MINA Function Exercises
Enter a formula for each question in the formula bar for the spreadsheet below.
1. Sales
In cell B8, enter a formula to find the smallest number of sales. Remember to start your formula with '='.
2. Revenue
In cell B9, enter a formula to find the lowest revenue number.
ABC
1SalespersonSalesRevenue
2Dwight10$3,240
3Jim9$2,916
4Phyllis7$2,268
5Stanley7$2,268
6AndyNoneNone
7
8Fewest sales:
9Lowest rev:
10
Click Here When Complete

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Kieran Dixon started using spreadsheets in 2010. He leveled-up his skills working for banks and running his own business. Now he makes Google Sheets and Apps Script more approachable for anyone looking to streamline their business and life.

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