MIN
Returns the minimum value in the expression.
Syntax
MIN ( [ ALL | DISTINCT ] expression )
Arguments
ALL
Applies the aggregate function to all values. ALL is the default.
DISTINCT
Specifies that each unique value is considered. DISTINCT is not meaningful with MIN and is available for SQL-92 compatibility only.
expression
Is a constant, column name, or function, and any combination of arithmetic, bitwise, and string operators. MIN can be used with numeric, char, varchar, or datetime columns, but not with bit columns. Aggregate functions and subqueries are not permitted.
Return Types
Returns a value same as expression.
Important Distinct aggregates, for example AVG(DISTINCT column_name), COUNT(DISTINCT column_name), MAX(DISTINCT column_name), MIN(DISTINCT column_name), and SUM(DISTINCT column_name), are not supported when using CUBE or ROLLUP. If used, Microsoft® SQL Server™ returns an error message and ends the query.
Remarks
MIN ignores any null values.
With character data columns, MIN finds the value that is lowest in the sort sequence.
Examples
This example returns the book with the lowest (minimum) year-to-date sales.
USE pubs
GO
SELECT min(ytd_sales)
FROM titles
GO
Here is the result set:
-----------
111
(1 row(s) affected)