The DMIN function in Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis that enables users to find the minimum value from a specified data set. By functioning similarly to a SQL query, it efficiently filters data based on specific criteria, making it useful for database-style calculations in spreadsheets.

Syntax

DMIN(database, field, criteria)

• database: The range of cells that makes up the database. The first row of this range should contain the labels for each column.
• field: Specifies which column from the database to analyze. This can be given as a column label enclosed in double quotes or as a number representing the column position within the database.
• criteria: A range that contains the conditions that the data must meet in order to be considered for the calculation. This range should include at least one column label from the database.

Example #1

DMIN(A1:C10, "Sales", E1:E2)

This function will find the minimum value in the “Sales” column within the specified range (A1:C10) that matches the criteria defined in E1:E2. For example, if E1 has “Region” and E2 has “East”, it will return the minimum sales value for the East region. Result: 1500

Example #2

DMIN(A1:C10, 2, F1:F2)

This function retrieves the smallest value from the second column of the specified range (A1:C10) based on the conditions provided in F1:F2. If F1 contains “Product” and F2 contains “A”, it will return the minimum value for Product A. Result: 120

Example #3

DMIN(A1:C10, "Cost", G1:G2)

In this case, the function will look for the minimum cost from the “Cost” column in the given range (A1:C10), applying the criteria defined in G1:G2. If G1 has “Month” and G2 has “January”, it will provide the minimum cost for January. Result: 800

Error handling

• VALUE! – This error occurs when one of the arguments provided is of the wrong type, such as entering text where a number is expected.
• REF! – This indicates that the specified database or criteria range does not exist or is invalid, likely due to deletion or incorrect referencing.
• DIV/0! – This may appear if the conditions in the criteria range result in no matching records, meaning there’s nothing to compare for a minimum value.

Conclusion

In summary, the DMIN function serves as an essential tool for extracting the minimum value from a data set based on user-defined criteria. By understanding its syntax and applications, users can leverage this function to enhance their data analysis capabilities in Google Sheets, providing insights that support better decision-making and reporting.