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SMALL Function In Excel

Written by ExcelMojo Editorial Team ExcelMojo Editorial Team ExcelMojo editorial profile and article credentials. Full Bio
Reviewed by Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Dheeraj Vaidya, CFA, FRM Reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and editorial standards. Full Bio
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Read Time 6 min

What Is the SMALL Function In Excel?

The SMALL function in Excel finds the smallest number from the dataset or an array of values. This function returns the “kth” i.e., the smallest numerical value from the selected values. The SMALL Function in Excel is a built-in function of the “Statistical” Function, so we can enter it as a formula or insert it from the Function Library.

For example, we will calculate the smallest number using the SMALL Function.

Select cell B2, enter the formula =SMALL(A2:A3,1), and press the “Enter” key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does the SMALL function do in Excel?

The SMALL Function in Excel categorized under the Statistical function returns numeric values based on their position in a list, ranked by value, like if the values are sorted in ascending order. It calculates and returns the ‘k’, i.e., the smallest value in a dataset, depending on the kth-value input.
The formula of the SMALL Function in Excel is =SMALL(array,k)

2. Why is the SMALL function in Excel not working?

The SMALL function in Excel may not work for the following reasons,
● We will get the #NUM! error,
● If the array used is empty.
● If the value of ‘k’ is less than the numerical value is 1 or greater than the values or count in the selected array.
● The #VALUE! error occurs if the value is non-numeric.

3. Where is the SMALL function in Excel?

We can insert the SMALL function in Excel as follows:
First, choose the empty cell for the result 🡪 select the “Formulas” tab 🡪 go to the “Function Library” group 🡪 click the “More Functions” drop-down 🡪 click the “Statistical” option right arrow 🡪 select the “SMALL” function, as shown below.

SMALL function faq3

Download Template

📥Download the ready-to-use Excel template to practice this tutorial yourself.

Download Excel Template

This has been a guide to SMALL Function in Excel. Here we use formula, K’th value, #VALUE!, #DIV/0! & #NUM!, with examples & a downloadable excel template. You can learn more from the following articles –