Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 6, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Emin has a range of cells in which there can be either text or numbers. He needs a way to determine the smallest even number in the range. Emin wonders if this can be done with a formula, or if he needs a user-defined function.
There are a couple of ways you can approach this problem. One method you can try is to use the DMIN function. All that you need is to make sure that you have a header on your data column (such as "MyData") and then create a small criteria field in some out-of-the-way place. For instance, you might want to create the criteria field by placing a header (such as "Min Even") in cell F1 and place the formula =ISEVEN(MyData) in cell F2. Cell F2 evaluates to an #VALUE! error, but that is fine in this case. You can then use the following formula in a different cell:
=DMIN(A1:A100, 1, F1:F2)
If you prefer, you can use an array formula to figure out the lowest even value. Because your data range can contain text as well as numbers, not all array formulas will work, however. For instance, the following will generate an error if there is anything but numbers in the data range:
=MIN(IF(MOD(A1:A100,2)=0,A1:A100))
To make sure you don't get the errors, you need to do some checking in the formula:
=MIN(IF(ISNUMBER(A1:A100),IF(NOT(MOD(A1:A100,2)=0),"",A1:A100)))
Again, remember that this is an array formula, so you need to enter it using Shift+Ctrl+Enter.
If you prefer, you can create a user-defined function that will return the desired value:
Function MinEven(rng As Range) Dim rCell As Range Dim bNotFound As Boolean Application.Volatile MinEven = 9.99 * 10 ^ 307 bNotFound = True For Each rCell In rng If Application.WorksheetFunction.IsNumber(rCell) Then If rCell Mod 2 = 0 Then If rCell < MinEven Then MinEven = rCell bNotFound = False End If End If End If Next If bNotFound Then MinEven = CVErr(xlErrNum) End Function
To use this macro, simply use the following with a cell of your worksheet:
=MinEven(A1:A100)
If there are no even numbers in the range, the function will return a #Num error.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (119) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Finding the Smallest Even Value.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
Excel is often used to process or edit data in some way. For example, you may have a bunch of addresses from which you ...
Discover MoreIn mathematics, the sum of a range of sequential integers, starting with 1, is known as a triangular number or Gaussian ...
Discover MoreNeed to know the directory (folder) in which a workbook was saved? You can create a formula that will return this ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments