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DMIN Function (LibreOffice Calc)

Database Intermediate LibreOffice Calc Introduction not established

The DMIN function returns the minimum numeric value in a database column that matches a set of criteria. It is part of the database function family and supports structured, criteria-based filtering.

Verification status: Consult the documentation, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked

Availability and version history

  • Introduced: Documented by LibreOffice 26.8.1.1; original introduction not established.
  • Availability: Supported in LibreOffice 26.8.1.1, verified against its function registry. This identifies a supported release, not a final working version.
  • Scope: Desktop Calc, using the English function name. Availability in other spreadsheet applications is separate.
  • Checked: 2026-10-14 — function reference; versioned support. Documentation/source check; not a new native test. Existing example-specific test claims below retain their stated scope.
The **DMIN** function returns the **smallest numeric value** in a database column that matches a set of criteria. It is part of Calc’s database function family, which uses structured criteria ranges to filter data before performing calculations. DMIN is ideal for conditional minimum extraction in tabular datasets without needing MINIFS or array formulas.

What the DMIN Function Does

  • Returns the minimum numeric value in a specified column
  • Applies criteria-based filtering using a criteria range
  • Supports multiple criteria columns
  • Supports AND/OR logic via criteria layout
  • Works with structured database ranges

It is designed to be precise, structured, and ideal for database-style minimum extraction.

Syntax

DMIN(database; field; criteria)

Arguments

  • database:
    A range where the first row contains column labels.

  • field:
    The column to evaluate.

    • Use column label in quotes (recommended)
    • Or use column index (1 = first column)

  • criteria:
    A range containing column labels and one or more criteria rows.

Basic Examples

Assume a table in A1:C6:

A (Name) B (Age) C (Score)
John 25 80
Mary 30 90
Alex 22 70
John 28 85
Mary 35 88

Criteria in E1:F2:

Age Score
>25 >80

Minimum Score matching criteria

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:F2)

Returns 85.

Minimum Age matching criteria

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Age"; E1:F2)

Returns 28.

Using field index

=DMIN(A1:C6; 3; E1:F2)

Returns the minimum Score.

Advanced Examples

Minimum Score where Name = “John”

Criteria:

Name
John

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:E2)

Minimum Age between 25 and 30

Criteria:

Age
>=25
<=30

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Age"; E1:E3)

OR logic (multiple rows)

Criteria:

Age Score
>30
>85

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:F3)

Minimum Score where Name begins with “M”

Criteria:

Name
M*

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:E2)

Minimum with dynamic criteria

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; H1:I2)

Minimum positive Score

Criteria:

Score
>0

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:E2)

Minimum non-blank Score

Criteria:

Score
<>""

Formula:

=DMIN(A1:C6; "Score"; E1:E2)

Edge Cases and Behavior Details

DMIN evaluates only numeric values

Text, blanks, and errors are ignored.

field can be:

  • Column label
  • Column index
  • Cell containing label

criteria must include column labels

Exact match required.

criteria supports:

  • Comparison operators
  • Wildcards
  • Multiple rows (OR)
  • Multiple columns (AND)

Empty criteria → returns minimum of all numeric values

If no numeric values match → returns 0

DMIN of an error in database → error ignored

DMIN of an error in criteria → error returned

Criteria rows:

  • Each row = OR
  • Each column = AND

Common Errors and Fixes

DMIN returns 0 unexpectedly

Cause:

  • No numeric values match criteria
  • Criteria labels don’t match database labels
  • Criteria misaligned
  • Field name misspelled

Fix:

  • Ensure labels match exactly
  • Ensure criteria range includes labels
  • Ensure numeric values exist in the target field

Err:502 — Invalid argument

Occurs when:

  • field is invalid
  • database range malformed

Criteria not applied

Cause:

  • Criteria labels not identical to database labels

Best Practices

  • Use column labels instead of index numbers
  • Keep criteria ranges small and clearly labeled
  • Use wildcards for flexible text matching
  • Use multiple criteria rows for OR logic
  • Use multiple criteria columns for AND logic
  • Use DMIN instead of MINIFS when you need database-style criteria
  • Use FILTER (modern Calc) for dynamic extraction
DMIN is your structured minimum extractor — perfect for database-style filtering, multi-criteria logic, and clean, readable conditional minima.
  • Use DMAX for maximum values
  • Use DSUM for summation
  • Use DAVERAGE for conditional averages
  • Use DCOUNT or DCOUNTA for counting
  • Use DGET for retrieving a single matching record
  • Use MINIFS for simpler criteria without database structure
  • Use FILTER for dynamic row extraction

By mastering DMIN and its companion database functions, you can build powerful, structured, and criteria-driven data workflows in LibreOffice Calc.