MIN (Transact-SQL)

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 ISO 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.

  For more information, see Expressions (Transact-SQL).

Return Types

Returns a value same as expression.

Remarks

MIN ignores any null values.

With character data columns, MIN finds the value that is lowest in the sort sequence.

Examples

The following example returns the lowest (minimum) tax rate.

USE AdventureWorks2008R2;
GO
SELECT MIN(TaxRate)
FROM Sales.SalesTaxRate;
GO

Here is the result set.

-------------------

5.00

(1 row(s) affected)

See Also

Reference