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SMALL Excel Function

By Jeevan A YJeevan A Y

SMALL Function in Excel

SMALL Function in Excel (Table of Contents)

SMALL Function in Excel

A small function in excel is used for getting the smallest number from the selected range of numbers with the help of the Kth position located in the range. For example, we have 10 different numbers, and we need to find the smallest number out of that; by using the Small function, we can get the 1st or 2nd or any Kth smallest number out of those 10 selected numbers.

SMALL Formula in Excel:

Below is the SMALL Formula in Excel :

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SMALL Formula in Excel

The SMALL function has two arguments, i.e. array, k. Both are required arguments.

  • Array: This is the range of cells you are selecting it as the source data to find the K value.
  • K: This the Kth position of the number. From the list, it gives the bottom value.

In this function, the range should not be empty, and we need to specify both the arguments.

How to Use SMALL Function in Excel?

SMALL Function in Excel is very simple and easy to use. Let us now see how to use this SMALL Function in Excel with the help of some examples.

You can download this SMALL Function Excel Template here – SMALL Function Excel Template

Example #1

Below are the scores of the students on a test. From the below-given data, find the smallest score and the 3rd smallest score.

SMALL Example 1-1

If we are finding the smallest number, we can simply apply MIN Function. If you look at the below image, both the formulas returning the same value as the smallest number in the given list.

SMALL Example 1-2

However, MIN Function stops there only it cannot find the 2nd, 3rd and 4th smallest number. In such cases, SMALL can give us the Kth position number.

Find the 3rd Smallest Number.

To find the third smallest score or number from the list, we need to specify the number in the Kth argument.

The formula is =SMALL (B2:B11, 3), and it reads like this:

“In the range, B2:B11 find the 3rd largest value.”

SMALL Example 1-3

So the result will be :

SMALL Example 1-4

Example #2

Below is the data for a cycle race. From this list, you need to find the winner. Data includes names, start time, end time.

SMALL Example 2-1

From this list, we need to find who has taken the least time to complete the race.

Step 1: Find the total time taken.

SMALL Example 2-2

The actual time taken to complete the race arrived by deducting the start time by the end time. The below image shows the actual time taken by each one to complete the race.

SMALL Example 2-3

Step 2: Now apply the SMALL Function to get the winner.

SMALL Example 2-5

So the result will be :

SMALL Example 2-6

It is a bit of a herculean task if the list is long. But we can just name the winner using the if condition.

SMALL Example 2-7

So the result will be :

SMALL Example 2-8

Similarly, it is applied to other cells in that column to get the desired output.

SMALL Example 2-9

If the value arrived by a SMALL function is equal to the actual time taken value, we call it as Winner or Better Luck Next Time.

Example #3

We can use the SMALL Function along with other functions. From the below-given list, find the sum of the bottom 3 values for Week2.

SMALL Example 3-1

Apply the below SMALL function along with the SUM & VLOOKUP function.

SMALL Example 3-2

This is an array formula. You need to close the formula by typing Ctrl + Shift + Enter. This would insert the curly brackets before and after the formula.

VLOOKUP returns the value for WEEK 2 specified by the SMALL function for 3 bottom values. Then SUM function will add the bottom values together and return the result as 1988.

SMALL Example 3-3

Things to Remember

  • SMALL Function ignores text values and considers only numerical values.

SMALL Function Error 1-1

Result is :

SMALL Function Error 1-2

  • A SMALL function returns an error if there are no numerical values in the list.

SMALL Function Error 2-1

Result is :

SMALL Function Error 2-2

  • If there are any duplicates, then SMALL considers the first value as the smaller one.
  • K should be numeric; otherwise, it returns the error as #VALUE!
  • Supplied range should not be empty.
  • In case of finding only the least value, then we can use the MIN Function. But it finds only the first smallest value.
  • Even though SMALL ignores text values, if there are any errors, then it will return the result as #DIV/0!.
  • We can use the SMALL along with many other functions to find the Nth values.
  • Use practically to get the hint of SMALL function.
  • If you are using SMALL with other function, then it becomes an array formula.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to SMALL Function in Excel. Here we discuss the SMALL Formula in Excel and how to use a SMALL Function in Excel along with practical examples and a downloadable excel template. You can also go through our other suggested articles –

  1. VLOOKUP Function in Excel
  2. SUM Function in Excel
  3. SUBTOTAL Function in Excel
  4. TRUE Function in Excel
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