INDEX-MATCH Formula to Find Minimum Value in Excel (4 Ways)

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INDEX and MATCH functions are two of the most common functions in Excel chores to search for as well as store different data from a large array. In this article, you’ll be able to know with proper illustrations how we can use these INDEX & MATCH functions to find the minimum or smallest value in Excel. In addition, for conducting the session, we’re going to use Microsoft 365 version.


Introduction to INDEX & MATCH Functions

In this section, we will introduce the INDEX and MATCH functions for your better understanding of the whole session.


INDEX Function

Formula Syntax:

=INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])

or,

=INDEX(reference, row_num, [column_num], [area_num])

Activity:

Gives a value from the given array at the intersection cell of the mentioned row and column number.

Example:

Assuming that we have a comprising table with names of different brands, device types, and the related sales prices for 6 months. Now, we want to know the sales price at the intersection of the 3rd row & 4th column from the array of selling prices.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, in Cell F19, type:
=INDEX(D5:I14,3,4)
  • Secondly, press ENTER & you’ll get the result.

Here, the 4th column in the array represents the selling prices of all devices for April & the 3rd row represents the Lenovo Desktop category, at their intersection in the array D5:I14. Thus, we’ll find the selling price of Lenovo Desktop in April.

Use of index function to apply it with match function to find minimum value


MATCH Function

Formula Syntax:

=MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])

Activity:

Gives the relative position of an item in a given array that matches with a certain value in a fixed order.

Example:

Here, based on the same dataset already mentioned, first of all, we’re going to know the position of the month of June from the month headers.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, in Cell F17, our formula will be:
=MATCH(F16,D4:I4,0)
  • Subsequently, press ENTER & you’ll find that the column position of the month of June is 6 in the month headers.

Now, change the name of the month in Cell F16 & you’ll see the related column position of that month.

 Use of match function in Excel

And if we want to know the row position of the brand Dell from the names of the brands in Column B, then the formula in Cell F20 will be:

=MATCH(F19,B5:B14,0)

Here, B5:B14 is the range of cells where the name of the brand will be looked for. If you change the brand name in Cell F19, you’ll get the related row position of that brand from the selected range of cells.


INDEX-MATCH Formula to Find Minimum Value in Excel: 4 Suitable Approaches

Here, I will demonstrate 4 suitable methods with detailed steps on how to use these INDEX & MATCH functions to find the minimum or smallest values in Excel. Now, let’s see the methods.


1. Using INDEX, MATCH & MIN Functions Together to Get Minimum Price

Let’s get introduced to our original dataset now which has been considered for the applications of INDEX & MATCH functions to extract minimum value. Basically, there are some random computer brands, their devices, model names & prices in the table. Now, we’ll find out first which price is the lowest among all in Column E.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, select output Cell H7 & type:
=INDEX($B$5:$E$14, MATCH(MIN($E$5:$E$14), $E$5:$E$14, 0 ), 4 )
  • Secondly, press ENTER & you’ll get the lowest price at once.

Using INDEX, MATCH & MIN Functions Together to Get Minimum Price

🔎 How Does This Formula Work?

  • Firstly, the MIN function here pulls out the smallest or minimum value from the range of Cells E5:E14.
  • Secondly, the MATCH function finds out the row position of that minimum value.
  • Thirdly, within the INDEX function, B5:E14 is the entire array where our data extraction functions are being applied & the other arguments are showing row number & column number.
  • Fourthly, ‘4’ has been chosen as a column number since the price list is present in the 4th column of the selected array.
  • Lastly, the INDEX function now extracts the data from Column E based on the row & column criteria.

Now, we’ll find out the model name or number for the lowest price.

  • So, in our output Cell H8, the related formula will be:
=INDEX($B$5:$E$14, MATCH(MIN($E$5:$E$14), $E$5:$E$14, 0 ), 3 )

Here, 3 is the column number for the INDEX function as all model names are present in the 3rd column of the selected array.

Furthermore, in Cell H9, we’ll find out the type of device for the lowest price & here, the column number will be 2.

  • So, the embedded formula will be in Cell H9:
=INDEX($B$5:$E$14,MATCH(MIN($E$5:$E$14),$E$5:$E$14,0),2)

Finally, we’ll determine which computer brand is offering the lowest price.

  • So, in Cell H10, the formula will be:
=INDEX($B$5:$E$14,MATCH(MIN($E$5:$E$14),$E$5:$E$14,0),1)


2. Using INDEX, MATCH & MIN Functions Together to Find Earliest Date

Moreover, by using a similar formula, we can also find out the earliest date from a range of cells containing dates. In our modified dataset below, the Date of Manufacture column has been added to assign dates. Now, we’ll find out which date is the earliest of all.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, select Cell H7 & type:
=INDEX($B$5:$E$14,MATCH(MIN($E$5:$E$14),$E$5:$E$14,0),4)
  • Secondly, press ENTER & now you’ll find the earliest date among all instantly.

Using INDEX, MATCH & MIN Functions Together to Find Earliest Date Value

As the dates are present in the 4th column of the selected array, so we’ve assigned the column number of the INDEX function as 4. Now, if we want to extract the model name, device type & brand name for that particular date of manufacture, then we have to simply change the column number for the INDEX function based on the criteria position in the array.

Here, you can notice the following image, then you will understand the whole scenario.


3. Combining INDEX, MATCH & AGGREGATE Functions to Determine Minimum Value with Multiple Criteria

Let’s get introduced to the AGGREGATE function first before applying the function with multiple criteria in this section.

Formula Syntax:

=AGGREGATE(function_num, options, array, [k])

Or,

=AGGREGATE(function_num, options, ref1, ref2, [ref3],…)

Arguments:

  • function_num- A list of 19 functions with serial numbers will appear. You have to select the function required with the serial number.
  • options- An option to choose that will ignore the error or numerical data.
  • array- Selected array or range of cells where the formula will work
  • [k]- serial number or position in the array based on the return values

Activity:

Returns an aggregate in a list or database.

Now, look at Column B & you’ll find some names multiple times. So, we now want to find out the lowest price for a specified brand device. Assuming, we’re going to determine the lowest price of the desktop of Computezo brand.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, select the output Cell H10 & type:
=AGGREGATE(15, 6, E5:INDEX(E:E, MATCH(1E+99,E:E))/ ((B5:INDEX(B:B, MATCH(1E+99,E:E ))=H8)*(C5:INDEX(C:C, MATCH(1E+99,E:E ))=H9)),1)
  • Secondly, press ENTER & you’ll get the lowest price of Computezo desktop at once.

Combining INDEX, MATCH & AGGREGATE Functions to Determine Minimum Value with Multiple Criteria

🔎 How Does This Formula Work?

  • Firstly, inside the array, 15 is the Function Number that is assigned to the SMALL function.
  • Secondly, 6 has been chosen as Option Number which ignores the Error Values.
  • Thirdly, in the 3rd argument, a complex array has been established. The dividend or numerator part returns an array with all prices from the list & it looks like-
    • {1050;1200;980;950;1160;960;1020;980;1350;1050;1070;1020}
  • Fourthly, the divisor or denominator has two parts & both work with logical functions. The 1st part looks for the brand name Computezo in Column B & 2nd part looks for a desktop device in Column D. Then the converted (TRUE=1, FALSE=0) & numerical logic values are multiplied alongside these two parts. So, the resultant array returns as-
    • {1;0;0;0;0;1;0;0;0;0;1;0}
  • Now, all the prices found from the dividend will be divided with these logical values found from the divisor & it’ll return as-
    • {1050;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;960;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;#DIV/0!;1070;#DIV/0!}
  • Finally, the AGGREGATE function ignores all the Error Values & extracts the smallest value from the array.

4. Fusing SMALL Function with INDEX-MATCH to Find Minimum or Smallest Three

In our final method, we’ll apply the SMALL function which extracts the smallest value from a range of cells or an array based on the defined position or serial of the smallest value. In our dataset below, prices of different models of 4 computer brands are present. Now, we’ll find out the lowest three prices of a specific brand, let it be Clocktech.

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, in Cell E7, our formula for the mentioned criteria will be:
=SMALL(INDEX($C$4:$G$14, MATCH($E$16, $B$4:$B$14, 0), 0), ROWS($D$17:$D17))
  • Secondly, press ENTER & you’ll see the 1st lowest price of the Clocktech brand.

Fusing SMALL Function with INDEX-MATCH to Find Lowest or Smallest Three

  • Now, to get the 2nd & 3rd lowest prices, use the Fill Handle icon to fill down Cells E18 & E19.

As a result, you will find the 3 lowest prices of the Clocktech brand. Furthermore, in Cell E16, if you change the brand name, you’ll find the lowest 3 prices of that brand.


How to Use VLOOKUP Function to Find Minimum Value in Excel

Here, you can use the VLOOKUP function along with the MIN function to find the minimum value instead of the INDEX-MATCH formula in Excel. Additionally, one important thing, in the case of using the VLOOKUP function you have to keep the reference column 1st. So, we modified our dataset to keep the Price column 1st. Now, follow the steps below-

📌 Steps:

  • Firstly, let’s find the lowest price. So, you may select the H7 cell.
  • Secondly, you need to use the corresponding formula in the H7 cell.
=VLOOKUP(MIN(B5:B14),B5:E14,1,FALSE)
  • Subsequently, you need to press ENTER to get the value.

How to Use VLOOKUP Function to Find Minimum Value in Excel

🔎 How Does This Formula Work?

VLOOKUP(lookup_value,table_array,col_index_num,[range_lookup])

  • Firstly, MIN(B5:B14): here the MIN function will extract the lowest value which will be the lookup_value for the VLOOKUP function.
  • Secondly, B5:E14 is the table_array in which it looks for the lookup_value in the leftmost column.
  • Thirdly, 1 is the number as column index from which column a value is to be returned.
  • Finally, FALSE denotes an exact match.
  • Now, write a similar formula to find out the model name. Here, you must change the column index number. Which will be 4. So, the formula should be as below,
=VLOOKUP(MIN(B5:B14),B5:E14,4,FALSE)

  • Similarly, by changing the column index number you can get the device and brand name too.


Practice Section

Now, you can practice the explained method by yourself.

Practice Section


Download Excel Workbook

You can download the Practice Workbook that we’ve used to prepare this article. Furthermore, you can change or modify data & find new outputs accordingly.


Concluding Words

So, these are all suitable ways to find the minimum or smallest value from a range of cells or an array based on different criteria using the INDEX-MATCH formula. If you think we’ve missed a point that we should’ve added, then please let us know in the comment section.


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Nehad Ulfat
Nehad Ulfat

NEHAD ULFAT is an excellent marine engineer who loves working with Excel and diving into VBA programming. For him, programming is like a tool that saves time when dealing with data, files, and the internet. His skills go beyond the basics, including ABACUS, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Maxsurf, and Hydromax. He got his B.Sc in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering from BUET but switched gears, working as a content developer.  In this role, he creates techy content all about Excel... Read Full Bio

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