=MIN(IF(N(INDIRECT({"I4";"L4";"R4";"X4"}))<0,N(IN DIRECT({"I4";"L4";"R4";"X4
"}))))

It is an array formula, so commit with Ctrl-Shift-Enter.

--

HTH

RP
(remove nothere from the email address if mailing direct)


"JLT" wrote in message
...

I have several seperate excel files where people enter a specific date
I then have a seperate excel file that captures the date from the other
files mentioned above. From this file I need to capture the oldest
date. Not everyone is required to enter a date if they have nothing to
report however there will _always_ be a date in cell I4 (see below)


Code:
--------------------
=MIN(I4,L4,R4,X4)
--------------------


The problem is if I have nothing in any of the other cells three cells,
it returns a value of 0. I need to know how to ignore the values if any
of the cells are blank.

I have included a screenshot of what I'm doing. Any help would be
great as I'm sure this is an easy question.

Thanks
James


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