USES OF MIN FUNCTION

Excel's MIN function works much the same as the recently mention MAX function. What
the MIN function does is find the smallest value in a given list of data.

Example uses for the MIN function:

• to find the lowest temperature or the lowest rainfall in climatic data

• to find the quickest result in a collection of experimental results measured over a
set period of time
• to find the fastest time or the lowest score from the results of athletic events

To find out the details on how to use the MIN function, including an example, read the

Example Using Excel's MIN Function:

Note: For help with this example, see the image to the right.

1. Enter the following data into cells C1 to C6: 114,165,178,143,130,167.

2. Click on cell C7 - the location where the results will be displayed.

3. Click on the Formulas tab.

4. Choose More Functions > Statistical from the ribbon to open the function drop
down list.

5. Click on MIN in the list to bring up the function's dialog box.

6. Drag select cells C1 to C6 on the spreadsheet to enter the range into the dialog
box.

7. Click OK.

8. The answer 114 should appear in cell C7 as it is the largest number in the selected
range.

9. The complete function = MIN (C1 : C6) appears in the formula bar above the
worksheet.
USES OF MAX FUNCTION

The Excel MAX function is used to find the largest value in the
selected range of cells or a given list of arguments. Text and blank
entries are not included in the calculations of the MAX function.

Applies To:

• Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

The Max function is a very useful function that has many applications. What it does is
find the largest value in a given list of data.

Example uses for the MAX function:

• to find the highest temperature or the highest rainfall in climatic data

• to find the slowest result in a collection of experimental results measured over a
set period of time
• to find the longest distance or the highest score from the results of an athletic
event
• The max function retrieves the largest value in a specified column of a table or query.
This can be useful when you need a fast way to find specific data in your database.
For example, you may need to find the most recent Order (by Order Date) placed by a
Customer from the Orders table.
• to find the fastest time or the lowest score from the results of athletic events

This short tutorial on Excel's MAX Function will give you all the details on using this
function.

OTHER USES OF IF FUNTION

One of the most useful functions in Excel is the IF function. What it
does is test a value in a specific cell to see if that value meets a
certain condition. If the value does meet the condition, one result will
happen, if false, a different action will occur.

• Performing calculations

The IF function can perform different calculations depending on

whether the function returns a true value or not.

The example below uses different deduction rates in its calculations

based on employee income.

=IF(A5 < 29701, A5 * 15%, A5 * 25%)

If employees earn above a certain level, one deduction rate will be

used in the calculation, if their income is below this level, a different
deduction rate will be used.

What the above example does is test to see if the value in cell A5 is
less than 29,701. If it is, the function multiplies the value in cell A5 by
15%(the "value if true" argument). If the value in A5 is greater than
or equal to 29,701, then the amount in cell A5 is multiplied by 25%
(the "value if false" argument).

• Nested IF Functions

A Nested IF function is when a second IF function is placed inside the

first in order to test additional conditions. "Nesting" IF functions
increases the flexibility of the function by increasing the number of
possible outcomes.

For example, deductions from an employee's income usually depends

on employee income. The higher the income, the higher the deduction
rate. We can use an IF function to determine what the deduction rate
will be.
 • Entering Data with the IF Function

The IF function can be set up to enter data into a target cell. This data
could then be used in other calculations. For example, a quiz setup in
Excel could use IF functions to determine if the student’s responses to
questions are correct.

If they are correct, the function returns a mark for that question. If the
student gets the question wrong, a zero is returned in the mark
column. At the bottom of the mark column, the SUM function can be
used to total the student’s score on the quiz.

• Leaving Cells Blank

Having an IF function return a blank cell is similar to having it return

words or a text statement. You use quotation marks as with text, but
just don’t put anything between them.

=IF(A5 > 5000,”Too High”,” ”)

In this example, the IF function acts as a flag. If the value in cell A5

goes above 5,000, the warning “Too High” is displayed in the cell. If
A5 is not above 5,000, there is no need for a warning so the cell
remains blank.

• The Logic Test

Excel's logic functions always involve a comparison between two

values. The logic test can only return a true or false answer,
depending on the condition tested.

The Comparison Operators

The comparison operators that can be used in a logic test are:

Equals ( = )

Less than ( < )

Less than or equal to ( < = )

Greater than ( > )

Greater than or equal to ( > = )

Not equal to ( < > )