Totals and counts function

MINIFS

The smallest number among the matching rows.

Purpose

Find the smallest figure among the rows that qualify

Returns

The smallest matching number, or nought if nothing matched

Syntax

=MINIFS(min_range, range1, condition1, [range2], [condition2], ...)

ArgumentRequiredWhat goes here
min_rangeRequiredThe column of amounts to look at.
range1RequiredThe first column to test.
condition1RequiredWhat that column has to match.
range2OptionalThe next column to test.
condition2OptionalWhat that column has to match.

How to use MINIFS

MINIFS is MAXIFS from the other end, with the same argument order: the column to search, then range and condition in pairs.

It finds the smallest item within a group, which on a ledger is how a write-off threshold gets tested.

As with MAXIFS, no match gives nought rather than an error.

Examples

Every result below is worked out by the same evaluator that marks your answers, on the sheet shown here.

Payables ageing — October.xlsxSheet1
Harbour Foods payables at 31 October 2026, with supplier terms alongside
ABCDEFGH
1InvoiceSupplierStatusDays overdueAmountSupplierTerms (days)
2INV-8801Brightwell PaperOverdue12940Ashgrove Catering30
3INV-8802Calder UtilitiesQueried471180Brightwell Paper30
4INV-8803Meridian FreightOverdue632450Calder Utilities14
5INV-8804Ashgrove CateringOn terms0405Meridian Freight45
6INV-8805Brightwell PaperOverdue38760Thornbury Print60
7INV-8806Thornbury PrintOverdue911320
8INV-8807Meridian FreightOn terms0580
9INV-8808Calder UtilitiesOverdue24215
FormulaResult
=MINIFS(E2:E9,C2:C9,"Overdue")The smallest overdue invoice, which is the one most likely to cost more to chase than it recovers.215
=MINIFS(D2:D9,C2:C9,"Overdue")The newest of the overdue debts.12
=MINIFS(E2:E9,B2:B9,"Meridian Freight")Narrowed to one supplier.580

Notes

  • No match gives nought, which for a minimum can look entirely believable.