=MIN(IF(MOD(COLUMN(A1:O1),2),IF(A1:O10,A1:O1)) )

The columns are numbered from 1 to 256. Column A = 1, column B = 2, column C
= 3, etc.

Using the MOD function with a divisor of 2, all odd numbered columns will
return a mod of 1 and all the even numbered columns will return a mod of 0.
When these mod results are evaluated by the IF function the mods of 1 are
evaluated as TRUE and the mods of 0 are evaluated as FALSE.

So, this expression will return an array of 1's and 0's:

IF(MOD(COLUMN(A1:O1),2)

This expression which is testing the values in the range to be greater than
0 will return an array of TRUEs and FALSEs:

IF(A1:O10

Where both arrays evaluate to TRUE the corresponding value from the range
array, A1:O1, is passed to the MIN function.

Here's what it would look like using a smaller sample:

A1.....B1.....C1.....D1.....E1
65.....53.....-10.....55......4

IF(MOD(COLUMN(A1),2) = 1
IF(MOD(COLUMN(B1),2) = 0
IF(MOD(COLUMN(C1),2) = 1
IF(MOD(COLUMN(D1),2) = 0
IF(MOD(COLUMN(E1),2) = 1

IF(A10 = TRUE
IF(B10 = TRUE
IF(C10 = FALSE
IF(D10 = TRUE
IF(E10 = TRUE

IF(1,IF(TRUE = A1 = 65
IF(0,IF(TRUE = B1 = FALSE
IF(1,IF(FALSE = C1 = FALSE
IF(0,IF(TRUE = D1 = FALSE
IF(1,IF(TRUE = E1 = 4

=MIN({65,FALSE,FALSE,FALSE,4}) = 4

Biff

"Elizabeth" wrote in message
...
Biff:
I've been puzzling over your suggestion for days. It works, but I don't
understand it. Would you mind telling me what it is doing? I am fairly
new
to arrays. I would appreciate your help. Thank you!
Elizabeth

"Biff" wrote:

Hi!

Try this:

Entered as an array using the key combo of CTRL,SHIFT,ENTER:

=MIN(IF(MOD(COLUMN(A1:O1),2),IF(A1:O10,A1:O1)))

Biff

"MichaelC" wrote in message
...
I have an array that is 1 row high by 16 columns wide.
Each cell may contain a positive value, or a zero.

I need a formula to find the "Minimum value that is greater than zero"
in
columns 1,3,5,7,9,11,13 and 15.

=MIN(A1,C1,E1,G1,I1,K1,M1,O1) will always return the zero value while I
need the minimum value that is greater than zero.
If I use nested IF functions to exclude zeroes I run foul of the max of
7
allowed.
I would greatly appreciate any help and thank you in advance for any
offered.
MichaelC