Excel SMALL Function
Summary
The Excel SMALL function returns numeric values based on their position in a list ranked by value. In other words, it can retrive "nth smallest" values - smallest value, 2nd smallest value, 3rd smallest value, etc.
Purpose
Get the nth smallest value
Return value
The nth smallest value in the array.
Syntax
=SMALL (array, n)
Arguments
- array - A range of cells from which to extract smallest values.
- n - An integer that specifies the position from the smallest value, i.e. the nth position.
Usage notes
The SMALL function is useful when you want to retrieve the nth lowest value from a set of data — for example, the first, second, or third fastest times in a race.
Like LARGE, the SMALL function retrieves numeric values based on their position in a list when sorted by value.
Note: Microsoft documentation refers to "k" instead of "n". We use n because "nth" is much easier to say.