# How to find the cheapest option that meets a minimum requirement in Excel

Find the lowest price among the options that qualify, then look up that option: `=XLOOKUP(1,(B2:B8>=F1)*(C2:C8=MINIFS(C2:C8,B2:B8,">="&F1)),A2:A8,"None")`.

**Excel:** `=XLOOKUP(1,(B2:B8>=F1)*(C2:C8=MINIFS(C2:C8,B2:B8,">="&F1)),A2:A8,"None")` (Excel 2021, 2024 and Microsoft 365)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D | E | F |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Plan | Data (GB) | Monthly price |  | Need at least (GB) | 15 |
| Starter | 5 | 15 |  | Cheapest plan |  |
| Basic | 10 | 25 |  |  |  |
| Plus | 20 | 35 |  |  |  |
| Value 30 | 30 | 38 |  |  |  |
| Pro | 50 | 45 |  |  |  |
| Family | 25 | 34 |  |  |  |
| Unlimited | 999 | 60 |  |  |  |

Formula in F2: `=XLOOKUP(1,(B2:B8>=F1)*(C2:C8=MINIFS(C2:C8,B2:B8,">="&F1)),A2:A8,"None")`

Result: Family

## How it works

`MINIFS(C2:C8,B2:B8,">="&F1)` is the lowest price among plans with at least 15 GB: $34. The lookup then needs both tests, enough data and that price, because a plan that doesn't qualify could cost the same. The answer is Family, which beats the bigger Plus plan on price.

## Other ways

- `=INDEX(SORT(FILTER(A2:C8,B2:B8>=F1),3,1),1,1)`: Keep the qualifying plans, sort them by price and take the first. Excel 2021, Microsoft 365 and Google Sheets.

## Common mistakes

- Looking up the price alone can return a cheaper-looking plan that doesn't meet the requirement but happens to cost the same.
- Plans tied on price return the first one listed. Add a second sort key if that matters.

## Questions

**How do I add a second requirement?**

Add it to both MINIFS and the lookup, for example a minutes column: `MINIFS(C2:C8,B2:B8,">="&F1,D2:D8,">="&F3)`.

**How do I return the price as well?**

Use the MINIFS part on its own in the next cell.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/cheapest-option-meeting-requirement