formula use to return earliest date or leave it blank

[MeiChan1314]

I  need the formula that can fit into most earliest delivery date column by

a. return earliest date among Date 1 , Date 2 and Date 3.

b. return the date if only have one date among the Date 1,2,3

c. return to blank if the Date 1,2,3 column is empty.

Below are the example in table. May need expertise who can advice the suitable formula.

Appreciated!

Material	Most earliest Delivery Date	Date 1	Date 2	Date 3
VL7688		30-07-21		22-10-21
PS1465		03-09-21		26-11-21
ME3455
NE7853				24-09-21

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@MeiChan1314 

in B2 (and copy down if you don't use a Table):

=IF(COUNT(C2:E2), MIN(C2:E2), "")

[#3]

@MeiChan1314 

As variant

=XLOOKUP(1,C2:E2+0,C2:E2,"",1)

[#4]

thanks it works! Just a question if the data from column date 1 , 2, 3 is carry out from another excel sheet means contain formula, does the above IF +Count+Min still working?

[#5]

thanks Sergei! using this formula its work to my excel sheet as well! thanks alot.

[#6]

@MeiChan1314 

Of course, something you coul have easily checked :)

However, make sure the formulas involved in filling your Date1-Date3 columns return something like "" and not 0 when there's no data avail. in the other sheet, otherwise MIN will find/report the 0s

Other option is to use Sergei's formula

[#7]

Thank you so much!

[#8]

You're welcome. If your solution doesn't need to be shared with people not running Excel 365, Sergei's option would be the way to go IMHO. Nice day...