MIN() with IF() inside return #VALUE!

Hi, I just have a minor problem with the MIN function while having an IF function inside.

To make it simple I have used this simplified equation for example.


In Excel if I use this formula it will return #VALUE!

=MIN(IF(1>0,2,""),IF(1<0,2,""))


But if I have

Cell A1 = IF(1>0,2,""), Cell A2 = IF(1<0,2,"")

Then if I take the MIN of A1:A2 it will return 2


Why is Excel returning #VALUE! for my first formula? I think it is assume "" as a string and not returning a blank.

Could someone please help me solve this problem?

Originally Posted by NeedForExcel

That's exactly whats happening..

See if this helps!

=MIN(IF(1>0,2,10^99),IF(1<0,2,10^99))

I did think of using a very large number, which solves the problem. But if someone was to look at my spreadsheet again they might be confused why I put such a large number in the FALSE statement.

Originally Posted by :) Sixthsense :)

Yes exactly...

Because you are evaluating a string without any Number in a single argument.

=MIN(2,"")

Will not result #Value Error in this case
=MIN(2,{200,""})

Actually why you need mininum in this case? When it can be written in the below way?

=OR(1>0,1<0)*2

I am just confused why if I put the IF() in separate cells it will return a blank, but when it is inside MIN() it will return the string "".

My actually formula involves vlookup.

=MIN(IF(F3="S",VLOOKUP(B3,Table1,3,FALSE),""), G3="S",VLOOKUP(C3,Table1,3,FALSE),""), H3="S",VLOOKUP(D3,Table1,3,FALSE),""), I3="S",VLOOKUP(E3,Table1,3,FALSE),""))

ProtonLeah

If my IF() is FALSE it will return 0 and if my lowest value from the VLOOKUP is above 0 then I will not be able to capture the lowest value I was after from Table1