If you're referencing cells in the same row as the formula....
still using ranges named: Col_L and Col_M, try this:

=MIN(+Col_L,+Col_M)

Does that help?
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)


"Ron Coderre" wrote in message ...
I'll assume your range names are "Col_L" and "Col_M".

Try using a range intersection....something like this:
=MIN(Col_L 1:1,Col_M 1:1)

That formula returns the minimum of these two values:
The intersection of Col_L and row 1...which is L1
The intersection of Col_M and row 1...which is M1

Does that help?
Post back if you have more questions.
--------------------------

Regards,

Ron (XL2003, Win XP)
Microsoft MVP (Excel)



"Jim Russell" wrote in message ...
I have a formula that includes the expression "min(L2,M2)". I want to be able
to name columns L and M, and have those names used in the expression. The row
number is relative, so the formulas below are "min(l3,M3)", etc. (The formula
should be min($L2,$M2) to keep the column references absolute, but that
change does not seem to help my problem.)
How should I name the columns to be able to apply them, and what should the
formula look like when it is done? (I would guess the name would reference,
e.g. $M$M, but what then? The rows do not have names.)
Thanks!