Why "=MIN(F4:H4-F3:H3)" wrong?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cactus
  • Start date Start date
C

Cactus

If put "=MIN({0,2,-5})" in cell,
that result is "-5".

but put this take wrong.
=MIN(F4:H4-F3:H3) => =MIN({0,2,-5})
^^^^^^^^^^^ F9
 
but put this take wrong.
=MIN(F4:H4-F3:H3) => =MIN({0,2,-5})
^^^^^^^^^^^ F9
Click to expand...

What is in the cells F3,G3,H3,F4,G4,H4 and what do you expect the results to
be?


--ron
 
"-" functions differently in the two formulas. In ",-5", there is
nothing to subtract from, so "-" is the unary minus, i.e. it produces
negative 5. In "F4:H4-F3:H3" there is something to subtract from, so
"-" is the subtraction operator.

Multiple cells are referenced, so "F4:H4-F3:H3" is an array formula,
that will behave differently depending on whether you array entered
(Ctrl-Shift-Enter) the formula or not. If you did NOT array enter, then
"F4:H4-F3:H3" will return the single difference F4-F3, and MIN() of that
one number is itself. If you did array enter, then "F4:H4-F3:H3" will
return an array containing the 3 differences, and MIN() will return the
smallest of the 3 differences.

Jerry
 
Back
Top