MIN and MAX functions in Google Sheets - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

MIN and MAX functions help you find the smallest or largest number in a list. They save time when you want to quickly see the lowest or highest value in your data.

When you want to find the lowest sales number in a month.

When you need to know the highest score in a class test.

When checking the smallest or largest expense in your budget.

When comparing temperatures to find the coldest or hottest day.

When summarizing data to find minimum or maximum values quickly.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- a blank cell where you want the result

The cell is selected and ready for input

Step 2: Type

- the selected cell

The formula starts appearing in the cell

💡 Start with an equal sign (=) to tell Sheets you are entering a formula

Step 3: Type

- the formula bar or cell

The formula is complete and ready to calculate

💡 For minimum, type =MIN(range). For maximum, type =MAX(range). Replace 'range' with your data cells, for example A1:A10

Step 4: Press

- Enter key

The cell shows the smallest or largest number from the selected range

Step 5: Click

- the cell with the formula

The formula appears in the formula bar for review or editing

Before vs After

Before

Column A has numbers: 5, 3, 8, 2, 7 in cells A1 to A5

After

Cell B1 shows 2 when formula =MIN(A1:A5) is entered; Cell B2 shows 8 when formula =MAX(A1:A5) is entered

Settings Reference

Range selection

📍 Inside the formula parentheses

Defines which cells to check for minimum or maximum values

Default: No default, user must specify

Common Mistakes

Typing the formula without the equal sign, like MIN(A1:A5)

Sheets treats it as text, not a formula, so no calculation happens

Always start formulas with an equal sign, like =MIN(A1:A5)

Selecting empty cells or cells with text in the range

Empty or text cells are ignored, which might give unexpected results if you expect them counted

Select only cells with numbers or be aware that non-numeric cells are skipped

Summary

MIN finds the smallest number in a range; MAX finds the largest.

Always start the formula with an equal sign (=).

Select the correct range of cells containing numbers to get accurate results.

Practice

1. What does the MIN function do in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Finds the smallest number in a range or list

B. Finds the largest number in a range or list

C. Adds all numbers in a range or list

D. Counts how many numbers are in a range or list

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of MIN

   The MIN function looks through numbers and picks the smallest one.

2. Step 2: Compare with other functions

   Unlike MAX which finds the largest, MIN finds the smallest number.

3. Final Answer:

   Finds the smallest number in a range or list -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   MIN = smallest number [OK]

Hint: MIN always returns the smallest number [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing MIN with MAX
• Thinking MIN adds numbers
• Assuming MIN counts numbers

2. Which of these is the correct way to write a formula to find the maximum value in cells A1 to A5?

easy

A. =MAX[A1:A5]

B. =MAX(A1:A5)

C. MAX(A1:A5)

D. =max(A1 to A5)

Solution

1. Step 1: Check correct formula syntax

   Google Sheets formulas start with = and use parentheses for arguments.

2. Step 2: Identify correct MAX usage

   =MAX(A1:A5) correctly uses =, function name in uppercase, and range in parentheses.

3. Final Answer:

   =MAX(A1:A5) -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Correct formula syntax =MAX(range) [OK]

Hint: Always start formulas with = and use parentheses [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using square brackets instead of parentheses
• Omitting the = sign
• Writing function name in lowercase without =

3. Given the values in cells B1 to B4 as 10, 25, 7, and 18 respectively, what will =MIN(B1:B4) return?

medium

A. 25

B. 10

C. 18

D. 7

Solution

1. Step 1: List the values in B1 to B4

   The values are 10, 25, 7, and 18.

2. Step 2: Find the smallest value

   Among these, 7 is the smallest number.

3. Final Answer:

   7 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   MIN(10,25,7,18) = 7 [OK]

Hint: MIN picks the smallest number in the range [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing the first number instead of the smallest
• Confusing MIN with MAX
• Selecting the average instead

4. You wrote the formula =MAX(B1:B5 but it shows an error. What is the problem?

medium

A. Cells B1 to B5 are empty

B. MAX function cannot use ranges

C. Missing closing parenthesis ")"

D. Formula should start with MIN, not MAX

Solution

1. Step 1: Check formula syntax

   The formula is missing the closing parenthesis ")" at the end.

2. Step 2: Understand function requirements

   MAX requires parentheses around its argument range to work correctly.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing closing parenthesis ")" -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Formula syntax error =MAX(range) needs closing ) [OK]

Hint: Always close parentheses in formulas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to close parentheses
• Thinking MAX can't use ranges
• Confusing MAX with MIN

5. You have sales numbers in cells C1 to C6: 150, 200, 0, 175, 200, 125. You want to find the highest sale excluding zeros. Which formula will give the correct result?

hard

A. =MAX(FILTER(C1:C6, C1:C6>0))

B. =MAX(C1:C6>0)

C. =MIN(C1:C6)

D. =MAX(IF(C1:C6=0, "", C1:C6))

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the problem

   You want the highest number but ignore zeros.

2. Step 2: Analyze each formula

   B: =MAX(C1:C6>0) incorrectly places condition inside MAX, returns max of booleans (1). A: FILTER selects only numbers > 0, then MAX finds highest among them. C: MIN finds smallest, not highest. D: IF replaces zeros with empty text, but MAX with text causes error.

3. Step 3: Choose the correct formula

   =MAX(FILTER(C1:C6, C1:C6>0)) correctly filters out zeros before finding MAX.

4. Final Answer:

   =MAX(FILTER(C1:C6, C1:C6>0)) -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Filter out zeros, then MAX = highest non-zero [OK]

Hint: Use FILTER to exclude zeros before MAX [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using MAX without filtering zeros
• Using MIN instead of MAX
• Replacing zeros with text causing errors